AEU Federal Women’s Conference
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 8, 2 November 2023, page no. 15
This year, the AEU’s Women’s Conference was held in the ACT for the first time. As part of the two-day program, women activists from across Australia networked, heard from a range of speakers, and undertook lobbying activities at Parliament House.
Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan generously welcomed delegates to country. Her beautiful and impassioned welcome invited delegates to walk together towards a unified Australia.
AEU ACT President Angela Burroughs warmly welcomed delegates on behalf of her branch with some of Sam Kerr’s best footwork (on the screen, sadly) from the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup. That goal against England, just millimetres in it, was against the odds, yet Sam took the chance, the opportunity. Angela reminded delegates that they could too, that though we confront barriers and experience setbacks, we always stand up again.
Keynote speaker and journalist Kristine Ziwica addressed “What happens when girl power grows up?”. Kristine described the failure of empowerment feminism, typified by the “lean in” phenomenon, which told women that if they had enough will or confidence, they could overcome adversity. Kristine pointed out that this theory positioned women as their own source of failure, and it amounted to naked self-interest dressed up as advocacy for all. It was an interesting look at 10+ years of looking at gender equality through a narrow lens, but it also asked delegates to think about the role of hope in a time of great change.
Rachel Bos, ACTU First Nations Educator and Officer and a Kaurna woman, gave an update on the Unions for YES campaign. Rachel, as always, was thoughtful and measured in her message as she invited delegates to walk side-by-side with First Nations Australians.
In her address, AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe reminded delegates about the importance of the For Every Child campaign in achieving a guaranteed federal government commitment to fund 100 per cent of the schooling resource standard (SRS). Ms Haythope took delegates through the recent history of funding, making the point that current resourcing gaps are part of a historic attempt by successive governments to defund public education.
Tuesday morning saw all conference delegates gather at Parliament House to speak to decision-makers about what teachers and education leaders urgently needed in their schools. It is not often that a federal conference coincides with something as important as a renewed call for fair funding for every child. The QTU delegates were excited, if a little nervous, as they ran through their plans of who would say what, who would make the ask, how to build rapport, and how to get a commitment. QTU members across the state should feel great pride and hope in the way that your delegates took the conversation to the biggest house of all.
Gillian Armit
Assistant Secretary, Women’s and Social Welfare Issues
Amanda Power
Never would I ever have imagined that I would be sitting in Parliament House and speaking to politicians about the state of funding in public schools. To have them listen to my story and recognise the financial input my family contributes every single year so that every child in my class is engaged in quality education was simply powerful.
Cassandra Ketchell
At first, I was scared of talking to politicians about why they need to fully fund our schools. But the time we spent getting ready with the interstate delegates really put my mind at ease. I felt relaxed but also so empowered. Of course, I could do it… I don’t know what I was worried about!
Emily Potts
It was wonderful to learn of the shared experiences of women across the country who, like us, were there to advocate for funding. For me, I felt validated, I felt like Queensland was not alone in this campaign to get what we need for our students but also for us as teachers and school leaders.
Nikki Roos
It was the opportunity to grab hold of with two hands! To venture to Canberra and talk directly to people who have the capacity to make our system and job of teaching and helping those children who need it most, hear about our world. We were there to pull the balance of equity and fairness back to a more even playing field.
Nicole Elkins
It was in awe that I sat in Parliament House listening to Amanda and Nikki as they lobbied with confidence about the difference full funding will make to their students and colleagues to the honourable Shayne Neumann MP. Em and Cassandra followed by powerfully lobbying Sentators Nita Green and Penny Allman-Payne.