State Council report: 23 May 2026
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 131 No 4, 26 June 2026, page no.4
The QTU welcomed 37 newly elected Council Reps at its first meeting of the new term of State Council. New Educators Network representatives were also present as observers.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) was present to conduct the ballot for the members of QTU Executive, who were duly elected and began their role at their first Executive meeting on 1 June.
The members of the new Executive are:
- Maika Bailey
- Lisa Broadhurst
- Nicole Elkins
- Shane Hancock
- Liam Holcombe
- Cassandra King
- Tom McCartney
- Natalie Montague-Clarke (on leave)
- Janet Ong
- Amanda Power
- Tony Smith
- Scottie Tibaldi (TAFE)
- Jade Wager.
A presentation was given for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) in support of queer students and teachers in our schools.
Council also marked the start of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Month and reaffirmed its commitment to ending DFV.
An update was provided on the progress of arbitration, with the arbitration team reminding Council that it had previously voted for interest-based bargaining and adopted a position that members be among the highest paid in the country, which will assist with teacher attraction and retention.
Members voted for arbitration knowing it would be lengthy. However, a number of outstanding matters which were at risk have now been resolved or substantially narrowed.
The QTU has been gathering evidence to put forward to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC), including independent expert economic evidence on the trends in terms of teachers’ pay back from 2016, which recommends a salary increase range of 21.2 per cent – 25.6 per cent over time.
The QTU are therefore seeking 3 per cent as an interim wage increase, plus 7 per cent from 1 July 2027, 7 per cent from 1 July 2028, and 7 per cent from 1 July 2029 (a total of 24 per cent). It is essential that members remain publicly unified in their support of this position.
The financial statements for January and February were accepted. A new Member Service Charter was adopted for those members who require further support from the QTU in terms of representation with an external third party.
The QCU Hands Off Our Safety campaign was discussed, along with other campaigns that the Union is planning.
A report on the progress of TAFE and CQU bargaining was provided, as well as a report on Union advocacy for a number of individual TAFE member matters that are currently being heard in the QIRC.
Ballots were held for members of the QTU Women’s Committee, the Queensland delegation for the AEU Federal Women’s conference and the Far North Queensland Gandu Jarjum member.
The QTU is participating in the strategic review of the Electoral Commission of Queensland, therefore the investigation of the member candidate portal is on hold.
The next meeting of State Council will be held on Saturday 22 August.
2025 financial statements now available
Audited annual financial statements for the Queensland Teachers’ Union of Employees and the Australian Education Union, Queensland Branch are now available for the year ending 31 December 2025.
The statements can be found on the QTU website here. You will need your QTU password.