QTU Biennial Conference 2023
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128, 21 July 2023, page no.10 - 11
In the first three days of the winter vacation, more than 250 delegates, invited guests, Life Members, officers, and staff attended the QTU Biennial Conference, which for the first time was held at Brisbane City Hall.
Day 1
A Welcome to Country was provided by Songman Christopher Tosh Dawson, the nephew of Songwoman Maroochy, an Aboriginal Elder from the Turrbal people.
QTU President Cresta Richardson gave the opening address, followed by General Secretary Kate Ruttiman. The QTU Trustees then revealed the 2023 GA Daughtrey Art Bequest. The first session ended with a beautiful performance by the students of the Brisbane State High School multi-age choir.
After morning tea, QTU Life Membership was awarded to 11 outstanding QTU activists with long and proud histories of contribution and loyalty to the Union and its campaigns.
Union Reps were presented with badges recognising their years of service (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years), and Campaign Awards were given to celebrate campaigns that saw significant wins for all members.
Deputy General Secretary Brendan Crotty hosted a campaign panel featuring Kate Veach, Secretary of the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union, and Gabe Kramer, Queensland Council of Unions Campaign Coordinator.
At the end of the day, delegates enjoyed a conference reception, with entertainment provided by fabulous TAFE alumni, the Heidi Duo.
Day 2
A highlight of the day was Thomas Mayo presenting the 2023 Dr Evelyn Scott Memorial Lecture. Thomas spoke of the importance of spreading the word to ensure a YES vote in the referendum for a First Nations Voice in the Constitution.
Meredith Peace, AEU Deputy Federal Secretary, gave an overview of the relentless campaigning by the AEU for fairer funding for public schools. She spoke of the need for an urgent review of the National Schools Reform Agreements, and a need for teacher voices to be on national bodies such as AITSL and ACARA.
Author Bri Lee discussed her book Eggshell Skull and her experiences as a sexual abuse complainant in the Australian court system while a judge’s associate working on similar cases. Bri later joined an “in conversation” activity at the Women’s Event, unpacking the themes of gendered violence, discrimination, and sexual harassment that women face in their workplaces every day.
Jacqueline King, the Acting General Secretary of the QCU, outlined the importance of the new sexual harassment directive for public servants, and the new code of practice for psychosocial hazards in the workplace.
Andrew Fraser, the Chair of Australian Retirement Trust, spoke of the significant work involved in the merger between QSuper and Sunsuper, which is now providing bigger and better benefits to all members of the new fund. He emphasised the importance of having the correct occupational rating, choosing your insurance, and seeking personalised financial advice regarding your investments and retirement plans.
Day 3
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk addressed conference, highlighting her government’s prioritisation of new teacher accommodation in rural and remote areas, building of new schools and school facilities, and pushing the salary horizon of Queensland teachers.
Minister for Education, IR and Racing Grace Grace emphasised the need for all teachers and principals to be safe at work, and reiterated that harm or injury to anyone was unacceptable. She urged members to seek support for violent students from regional office, and to ensure that a plan was put in place.
Most importantly, Minister Grace announced a delay in the implementation of Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum until 2025, a direct result of QTU advocacy on behalf of members.
Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare addressed the issue of attraction and retention of teachers across the nation. He is holding consultation forums across the country to seek direct input from practitioners. He thanked members for the work they do in schools every day.
Both the state and federal Education Ministers signed a pledge committing to a pathway to fair funding of 100 per cent of the schooling resource standard (SRS). The QTU will continue to campaign with the AEU to ensure that this funding is delivered to all state schools across Australia.
Former QTU General Secretary John Battams, who is now Chair of Teachers Union Health (TUH), spoke of the need to ensure the health fund’s future in the face of strong competition from “for-profit” funds. The board and management will continue to ensure that member needs are at the forefront of any decision that may be made in relation to any merger with other like-minded funds.
Members at branch and area council meetings and delegates at conference had taken the opportunity to provide amendments to QTU Policy Booklets and these proposed amendments were accepted without debate. Further debate occurred regarding membership of a new WH&S Standing Committee of the QTU. The Conference Statement, slightly amended, was also accepted and is available on the QTU website (see page 14 for a summary).
Other matters discussed included the behaviour management campaign, virtual academies, Q-Learn, respectful relationships education and the P-12 CARF.
Thanks must go to the many QTU officers and staff who worked tirelessly to pull this exciting program together, and particularly the delegates themselves, who gave up family and holiday time to represent their branches and area councils, their members, and their members’ interests.