David O'Byrne
David O'Byrne (born 17 March 1969) is an Australian trade unionist and politician. A prominent union leader prior to entering politics and the brother of fellow politician Michelle O'Byrne, he has been an Independent member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly since 2024, after previously serving as a Labor Party member from 2018 to 2024, and from 2010 to 2014, representing the electorate of Franklin.
The Honourable David O'Byrne MP | |
|---|---|
| 52nd Leader of the Opposition of Tasmania | |
| In office 15 June 2021 – 7 July 2021 | |
| Premier | Peter Gutwein |
| Deputy | Anita Dow |
| Preceded by | Rebecca White |
| Succeeded by | Rebecca White |
| Leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party | |
| In office 15 June 2021 – 7 July 2021 | |
| Deputy | Anita Dow |
| Preceded by | Rebecca White |
| Succeeded by | Rebecca White |
| Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for Division of Franklin | |
| Assumed office 3 March 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Nic Street |
| In office 20 March 2010 – 15 March 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Ross Butler |
| Succeeded by | Paul Harriss |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 March 1969 Launceston, Tasmania, Australia |
| Political party | Independent (2024−present) |
| Other political affiliations | Labor (2001−2024) Independent Labor (2021−2024) |
| Relations | Michelle O’Byrne (sister) |
| Alma mater | University of Adelaide |
| Website | www |
In 2018 O'Byrne was re-elected to the House of Assembly with a strong personal vote topping the Labor ticket. In May 2021, he was re-elected. In June 2021, O'Byrne replaced Rebecca White as the leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party, winning 74 percent of the vote against right-aligned Braddon MP Shane Broad's 26 percent.
In July 2021, O’Byrne resigned the leadership following an allegation of sexual harassment relating to alleged events in 2007 and 2008 which were levelled at him by a former union staffer. O’Byrne admitted to sending sexually explicit texts to his then staff member. An independent investigation conducted by Barbara Deegan, a former commissioner of the Commonwealth industrial tribunals from 1996 to 2014, found that his actions were "inappropriate" and “wrong” but did not constitute sexual harassment. No further action was taken, but O'Byrne resigned from the leadership nonetheless, making him the shortest Labor leader in Tasmania’s history. Rebecca White was elected to succeed him.
After White and numerous former Tasmanian Labor Premiers called for him to resign from Parliament, Byrne sat on the crossbench as an Independent Labor member from August 2021 until resigning his Labor membership on 4 February 2024.