State Council report
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 126 No 4, 28 May 2021, page no.4
The meeting commenced with Sorry Business and a minute’s silence for pioneering QTU activist Merlene Muldoon, who sadly passed away earlier this year .
The meeting heard an update on the work of the Workload Advisory Council and considered the key recommendations to substantively reduce teacher and school leader workload in the following focus areas:
- senior assessment and tertiary entrance (SATE)
- information communication and technology (ICT)
- human resources (HR)
- student behaviour.
NAPLAN
A report on the outcomes of the most recent member survey on NAPLAN was provided, identifying that a majority of QTU members were supportive of the QTU’s action to date, and overwhelmingly believed the current NAPLAN system needs either removal or at least a major overhaul. Council also received a report on the QTU’s High Court Appeal against the decision of the Queensland Industrial Court in relation to the NAPLAN ban.
QTU Biennial Conference
There was a report on planning for the QTU Biennial Conference, to be held at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre from June 28-30, and Council confirmed the agenda, standing orders and policy debate procedures. Council also endorsed the Award Committee’s recommendation that nine members be awarded Life Membership of the QTU at Conference.
Campaign Action Report – Workload Reduction
Representatives from Kedron SHS and Pacific Pines SHS presented workplace campaigns that have led to a real reduction in school leader and teacher workload using two different approaches. These reports demonstrated practical ways in which the QTU’s number one priority of workload reduction can be achieved through collaboration between QTU Reps and the administration team.
Expect Respect
Council noted a report on the QTU’s Expect Respect campaign and heard from delegates Bridget Walker and Ali Coverdale (both members of the QTU’s Women Teachers and Girls Education Committee). It also considered motions of solidarity about the campaign, experiences of gendered violence in our workplaces and the need for the federal and state governments to implement all 55 recommendations of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Respect@Work report. Delegates were encouraged to complete the Expect Respect campaign survey and share with their colleagues.
Elections
Several elections were conducted by the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) and the QTU. The following were declared elected:
- Lisa Broadbent and Paula Nunan (QTU Executive)
- Anne Rathmell and Rebecca Humphreys (QTU Trustees)
- Anthony Luck (Professional Issues Committee)
- Emerson Zerafa-Payne (AEU Federal Conference Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Delegate)
- Letitia Murgha (Yalukit Yulendj - National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Committee)
- Kate Kermode, Amanda Power, Peta Bosomworth, Julie Streeter (AEU Federal Women’s Conference Delegates)
- Sylvia Juhas and Jo Sheppard (Women Teachers and Girls’ Education Committee).
Brendan Crotty
Deputy General Secretary (Member Organising)