Michael McNally

@RuralRevive @AlanRMacLeod Or it may be fair to conclude that if the biggest economic power in the region imposes blockades and sanctions that it can cripple even a vibrant burgeoning economy.

Let me complete those Venezuelan stats for you. GDP per capita: 1999: $5,150 2012: $6,434 2024: ~$2,800 Poverty rate: 1999: 49.4% 2012: 25.4% 2024: 82% Extreme Poverty rate: 1999: 17.9% 2012: 7.1% 2024: 53% Unemployment rate: 1999: 15.0% 2012: 8.1% 2024: 5.5% School enrollment rate: 1999: Under 50% 2012: Almost 75% 2024: 60.9% (gross rate) Undernourished population: 2000-2002: 3.8 million 2010-2012: Close to zero 2024: ~5 million (based on 2021-2023 prevalence) Doctors per 10,000 inhabitants: 1998: 18 2012: 58 2024: ~16.6 (latest: 2017) Number of free health care clinics: 1999-2012: 7,000 1999-2024: ~13,500 (latest: 2017; many inactive) Number of people receiving old age pensions: 1999: 0.39 million 2012: 2.1 million 2024: Over 4 million It may be fair to conclude that you can socialize the prosperity and flourish for a moment, but eventually it crumbles.

A lot of people seem unaware of the achievements of the socialists in Venezuela 🇻🇪 before US sanctions wrecked the economy. Here's a rundown by the numbers (taken from the United Nations and quoted in my book, "Bad News From Venezuela, 20 Years of Fake News and Misreporting"): GDP per capita: 1999: $5150 2012: $6434 Poverty: 1999: 49.4% 2012: 25.4% Extreme Poverty: 1999: 17.9% 2012: 7.1% Unemployment: 1999: 15.0% 2012: 8.1% School Enrollment: 1999: under 50% 2012: Almost 75% Undernourished population: 2000-2002: 3.8 million 2010-2012: "Not statistically significant number" [i.e.: close to zero] Doctors per 10,000 inhabitants: 1998: 18 2012: 58 Number of free health clinics built, 1999-2012: 7,000 Number of people receiving old age pensions: 1999: 0.39 million 2012: 2.1 million During the years of Hugo Chavez (1999-2012/2013), the government built a nationalized healthcare and education system from scratch. In 2005, UNESCO declared Venezuela free of illiteracy. This doesn't mean everything was perfect by any means, but the gigantic and extraordinary successes the country was making attracted academics, statisticians, and epidemiologists from around the world to study it. Indeed, in 2013, the UN awarded Venezuela special recognition in combatting poverty and achieving rapid human development. They were able to do this because Chavez nationalized the country's resources (oil) and used the profits to fund social programs, rather than enrich foreign billionaires. It was precisely this threat of a good example that precipitated a massive US economic blockade of the country, which crippled the economy, and led to mass emigration and hardship. The United States is and was terrified that such a successful example of socialism would inspire people across the planet into believing a better world is possible.

The National AI Plan is out. While it aims to include worker and union voices, real power comes from strong enterprise agreements. If university management are serious about regulating the use of AI, they must lock in protections. Join us today: nteu.au/join

Congratulations to UQ members on endorsing their Log of Claims ✊ Delegates and members resolved to fight to win better workload protections and job security. Not yet a member? Join today at nteu.au/join @NTEUQldDivSec

@NTEUnion Great turnout in the room and online! Strong claims! Solidarity evident! 💜✊🏼💜✊🏼💜✊🏼

@ucu Same here in Australia. Solidarity to our sister union in the UK! ✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼

“Staff pay has fallen year on year and that has to change. Without staff, there is no university.” Jo Grady speaking on LBC last night about why this ballot matters. Vote YES. #WeAreTheUniversity

Overcrowded lectures. Growing admin. Unpredictable numbers. On LBC last night, Jo Grady spoke about how higher education workloads are becoming inherently stressful. This ballot is our chance to say: enough. Vote YES for manageable workloads and fair pay. #WeAreTheUniversity #UCU

John Frew's is the best overview of a - maybe the - key driver of the slashing of humanities disciplines/academics/courses: a consultant groupthink that works via interlocking memberships and dependencies of university executives and councils, and the firms they hire for advice.

@johnmenadue University governance is broken. @NTEUnion members experience this every day in the workplace. Here in Queensland @unisqaus is slashing its workforce and @GriffithUniVC Carolyn Evans is appointing @NousGroup consultants to key leadership positions. No accountability.

If Labor wishes to reclaim its moral authority, it must break with the consultant paradigm: rebuild public governance, fund socially vital disciplines and restore universities as places of learning, not revenue streams. #auspol #universitiesAU johnmenadue.com/post/2025/10/h…

@NTEUnion @DamienCahill8 @hannahforsyth @julie_kimber @MichelleGiovas1 Legends of the movement!

Last night we celebrated our newest life members and heroes of the union movement – thank you for your enduring commitment and inspiring everyone around you to keep up the fight. 🙌 @hannahforsyth @julie_kimber @MichelleGiovas1

🚨 LIVE BROADCAST 🚨 📢 We Are The University: Pay, Terms & Conditions – How We Can Win the Ballot 🗓 Thurs 2 Oct ⏰ 7pm UK time 📍 Join live: youtube.com/watch?v=JkNLGN… Hear from our General Secretary @DrJoGrady on what’s at stake and how we can win ✊

This American Dad’s beautifully articulate takedown of what’s happening is as powerful as it is informed “Is this greatness?’ He asks … and then answers

@AlisonBarnes25 In Queensland we should start with @unisqaus. Management job cuts out of control with no accountability for the unnecessary pain they are inflicting on staff, students and the community.

Sadly, ANU has been an extreme but not isolated case of appalling university governance. Staff bravely speaking out against mismanagement has led to this. Now we need national reforms to end the governance crisis plaguing our institutions. smh.com.au/politics/feder…

Turns out 100000 Brisneylanders / Meanjians turned up today to #GazaStarving #Gaza #Free Palestine March. I am a proud Brisbane resident today. Love my city, love my tribe. #IsraelEnemyOfHumanity

@DaveMilbo Great turnout in Brisbane, too. My daughter and I and tens of thousands of others were there.

Brisbane you guys have smashed it for Palestine✊🏼🇵🇸 NO TO GENOCIDE‼️

“Governments, regulators and university leaders must act now to restore transparency, accountability, and trust in our higher education system.” NTEU National President @AlisonBarnes25 Read the full report: nteu.info/bellcurve

@uniaus Nominate @NousGroup! They are raking in Million$ by encouraging university managements to restructure the living shit out of the sector on the flimsiest pretexts, destroying lives and crippling institutions. Shaping terrible outcomes for students, science, tech and civil society.

Don't forget to submit your entry to this year's #ShapingAustraliaAwards25. 👇 shapingaustraliaawards.com.au

Staff, students and the broader community have lost confidence in @ourANU leadership. It is now time to strike back! ✊ Rally: 12-1pm, Tue 15 July, Kambri Join @NTEUnion at nteu.au/join. More on your rights re: this event here: nteu.au/News_Articles/…