State Council report: 1 March 2025
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 130 No 2, 11 April 2025, page no 4.
The first meeting of State Council for 2025 commenced with a Statement of Values, which emphasises the QTU’s commitment to improving members’ working conditions, salaries, and entitlements.
EB11
A report was provided on the progress of enterprise bargaining, which had formally commenced. Regular reports will be made back to members, together with opportunities for member engagement designed to complement EB negotiations.
The state government will need to revise the state wages policy of 3 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent if it is to deliver its commitment to respecting our profession. This is not good enough to attract and retain workers in Queensland for a quality public service.
The QTU has advised the department that a formal offer must be received by 30 June, which coincides with the first day of QTU Biennial Conference. Delegates at conference will decide the next steps on the basis of the offer before them.
Special school staffing
Special school staffing and the reasonable adjustment resourcing (RAR) model was the subject of considerable discussion, and Council condemned the Queensland Government’s funding changes, which will increase the likelihood of staff experiencing physical, psychological, and psychosocial harm.
The QTU will continue to campaign against occupational violence and aggression, as no worker should be subjected to violence and aggression in the workplace, even if that workplace is a school.
Red Tape Reduction Working Party
Delegates heard a report on the Red Tape Reduction Working Party. The QTU is encouraging members to send in not just their concerns, but also their solutions. There have been 15,000 submissions so far. We expect the state government to deliver real workload reduction for teachers and school leaders, as promised before the election.
Funding
Council heard that negotiations were continuing at a high level to ensure that Queensland receives its full share of Commonwealth school funding under the Better Fairer Schools Agreement. The Queensland Government subsequently signed a deal, but members are still encouraged to do their block for the For Every Child campaign to ensure the deal survives the federal election.
Recruitment and selection panels
Delegates at State Council condemned the decision of the Acting Director-General to remove QTU nominees from recruitment and selection panels and committed to advocating for their return in forthcoming meetings with the Minister of Education and the department.
Winning with Members
Members from Hervey Bay SHS presented their school’s innovative solution to the teacher shortage crisis. The flexible timetable that they have implemented provides staff with the flexibility and work-life balance the school needed to attract new teachers while retaining experienced and highly valued existing staff members.
Council congratulated QTU members of the East Coast plumbing team on the tenacity and courage they showed to solve a long-running dispute at Nambour TAFE.
Social media
Delegates endorsed the QTU Budget for 2025, which included additional funds for a Social Media Officer to work with the QTU’s Communications Coordinator on monitoring member engagement on the QTU’s social media.
Comments will be turned back on during working hours, for certain posts across the QTU’s various social media platforms, and any trolls will be removed.
Other issues
A vale was given for QTU elder statesman, toastmaster and QTU Life Member Dudley Cowan, who passed away recently.
Consultation with TAFE members will begin later this year as the QTU plans to commence bargaining in TAFE for a replacement agremeent in 2026.
Delegates endorsed the QTU’s 2025 State Budget Submission, which will be sent to the Treasurer, the Premier and Members of Parliament.
The next meeting of State Council will be held on 17 May. If the Federal Election is held on this date, the QTU will move Council to another date, not coinciding with NRL Magic Round.
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The QTU sponsored the 2025 Queensland University of Technology Student Achievement and Recognition (STAR) Awards, celebrating and acknowledging students who achieved the highest academic rankings in the Master of Teaching (Secondary), Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and Outstanding Indigenous Student at the university categories. For the first time, two recipients were awarded the Masters in Teaching (Secondary) prize, as both held the same academic rankings. This year’s winners are:
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