QTU Biennial Conference 2025

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 130 No 5, 1 August 2025, page no 12, 13 & 14.

The Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) Biennial Conference was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 30 June to 2 July, with the theme of Our Meeting Place - Celebrate, Educate, Activate and Grow.

Day 1 - Celebrate and Educate
Day 1 commenced with a welcome to country by local Brisbane Aboriginal Elder Songwoman Maroochy. Conference then received an address from QTU President Cresta Richardson on continuing our Union legacy and the power of collaboration. This was followed by the presentation of the QTU Biennial Report and conference video by QTU General Secretary Kate Ruttiman.

The QTU Trustees introduced this year’s GA Daughtrey Art Bequest artist Tim Sharp and his piece Dearly Beloved, with a keynote provided by Tim’s mother, Judy. This former Cavendish Road SHS student is now a world renowned artist whose journey began with a home-made birthday card, drawn for a friend. His story of transformation and communication through artistry was a powerful one.

Conference enjoyed a performance from the students of Harrisfield State School and their Booran Dance Group Cultural Choir. The honour of QTU Life Membership, one of the highlights of Biennial Conferences, was conferred on 14 recipients.

AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe presented the National Issues Report, looking back at the long road to addressing inequality in funding with the For Every Child and #RebuildwithTAFE campaigns. Correna also noted the significance of paid placements for teachers, the 600,000 enrolments in TAFE nationally since free TAFE was introduced, and the positive impact of teacher scholarships on our profession.

The General Secretary presented Union Representatives Service Awards recognising 20, 30 and 35 or more years service; with 5, 10 and 15 year service badges presented to delegates by their Regional Organiser.

Day 1 concluded with the start of formal deliberations, kicking off with EB11 and the progress of negotiations so far.

Special meeting of State Council
A special meeting of State Council was convened to consider the role of North Queensland Organiser. Joel Hanlon was appointed to the role. Congratulations Joel!

Day 2 - Activate
Day 2 began with a sponsor address from Teachers’ Union Health (TUH) chairperson and former QTU General Secretary John Battams on the successful merger of TUH with Teachers Health (TH), which has created a national not-for-profit health fund for teachers. This was followed by a address by TH chairperson Marie O’Halloran.

The General Secretary provided the Trustees report, advising Conference on the work of the trustees over the past two years. Importantly, they have worked to ensure that the balance of risk in investments would maximise the QTU’s capacity to have funds to:

invest in property
maintain existing properties
fund campaign and other reserves.

The new Logan office will begin operations from the second week of Term 3, and planning continues on refurbishment of the Cairns office to improve meeting and training facilities and offer office space to other unions. Planning also continues for the Sunshine Coast office to eventually move into part of the investment properties in Maroochydore or Pialba once existing leases are finalised.

A Membership Growth Report showed that 1,645 new members had joined between the beginning of 2025 and 1 June, with an additional 391 members joining in the month of June during the EB11 campaign. The Union continues to develop strategies to manage recruitment and retention of new and existing members. To assist with this, a new online joining portal will go live in early July.

The General Secretary provided a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) report, including details of the drafting of a Stretch RAP. This will include the reach of reconciliation, the establishment and maintenance of a two-way relationship with both BlackCard and Reconciliation Australia, and embedding Acknowledgement of Country and Sorry Business as important cultural protocols.

Conference received a presentation from internationally award-winning writer, theatre maker and broadcaster Van Badham titled “Countering disinformation is Union business”. Van explored the tactics of disinformation and its impact on democratic participation and how Unions can counteract these threats.

The QTU Women’s lunch featured guest speaker Brisbane City Councillor Emily Kim, who inspired delegates with her story. Emily, a former Brisbane SHS student, spoke of the support and guidance she had from her parents, the importance of community, and the unique opportunities afforded to her through public education.A fringe event was also held focussing on men’s mental health.

Conference resumed with ACTU Secretary Sally McManus, who congratulated the AEU and QTU for delivering 100 per cent school funding for state schools. She also discussed the big issues that the Union movement continues to tackle, including generational inequality, the need for a fairer taxation system, and the impacts AI and other technology will have on working people.

Conference adjourned, and delegates attended a Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) Equal Rights Equals Respect: Stop Discrimination rally, protesting against the Queensland Government’s decision to pause the introduction of Respect at Work legislation.

Delegates then attended a range of concurrent sessions:

Country My Teacher (the intersection between place and story and how this can improve pedagogical approaches for Australian students.
Navigating student rights, disability inclusion and teacher safety in the classroom.
United action on gendered violence in schools.
Work health and safety.

Following the concurrent sessions, Conference returned to the EB11 report. Conference formally rejected the offer made on 27 June as it failed to address core elements of the QTU EB claim, and carried a motion authorising a protected industrial action ballot should a revised package not be received by Wednesday 9 July.

Day 3 - Grow
Premier and Minister for Veterans, the Honourable David Crusafulli, addressed conference and outlined key government policies, including a commitment to 100 per cent state school funding. The Premier announced the expansion of the workload reduction program and the delivery of work health and safety advisor roles to an additional 300 schools. He also committed to continuing EB negotiations with the QTU in an attempt to reach an agreement.

Dr Craig Wood introduced QTU Policy, with a report on amendments that had been received and accepted prior to conference. Policy was then adopted, with exception of four proposed amendments, which were listed for debate.

A proposed policy amendment to Booklet A - Structures Procedures and Services, relating to observer status at QTU State Council, was debated and the motion was lost.
A proposed policy amendment to Booklet A - Structures Procedures and Services, related to Australian Education Union Queensland Branch (AEU Q) elections, was debated. During the debate a speaker moved a procedural motion, "Disagreement with the Chair". Under the Standing Orders, the President then vacated the Chair and was afforded the opportunity to explain their ruling for three minutes, with the mover of the motion then afforded a right of reply for three minutes. The motion was then put and lost. Debate then returned to the policy amendment which was also lost. A division was called, resulting in an outcome of nine votes in favour of the policy amendment and 232 against.
An amendment to Policy Booklet D - Class Sizes and Staffing, related to the allocation of social workers to schools, was debated. The policy was referred back to the Working Conditions Committee for consideration and a report back to August State Council.
An amendment to Policy Booklet E - Working Conditions, relating to the principles of selection, was debated and the motion was carried.

The General Secretary provided a report on the work of the Rules Review Committee. Proposed rule changes arising from the work of the committee will be provided to branches for consideration at August State Council.

An additional rule change regarding Rule 9.1 Composition of Executive, which would see Executive elected via a full membership ballot rather than the current rule, under which Executive members are elected by and from State Council, was proposed by Ipswich East Branch. After significant debate, the motion was put and lost (noting that rule changes require a two-thirds majority).

Conference revived a report on the Department’s Restrictive Practices Procedure Review. Delegates considered a foreshadowed motion condemning the current draft policy and calling for its full removal from schools, and a second motion calling for the QTU to write to the Minster for Education and Premier of Queensland requesting that the policy be re-written to provide a more suitable and reasonable process. Both motions were carried.

A TAFE report was provided regarding the success of the #Rebuildwith TAFE campaign, which has secured long-term free TAFE from the federal government. This win has been hampered by a six-month gap in funding, which will see free TAFE not offered and may put some programs in jeopardy.

With membership of the TAFE Division recently reaching more than 900 members, Reps were acknowledged and thanked for their work.

An industrial report was also provided, dealing with the support given to members seeking the overturning of formal warning letters in the middle of a programming dispute and an appeal against a recent decision of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission regarding non-attendance time (NAT).

The final session saw the adoption of the 2025 Conference Statement, which can be seen here.