State Council Report: 26 August 2023
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 7, 29 September 2023, page no. 6
The August meeting of State Council was held in Brisbane on Saturday 26 August.
Bulk offers of permanency
An extensive discussion took place regarding the first round of bulk offers of permanency for beginning teachers working in state schools. State Council has called for guarantees that the statewide transfer system will not be negatively impacted and that 75 per cent of all requested transfers be placed in one of their preferred geographic areas of preference.
Behaviour management
The QTU has three pillars to its behaviour management strategy, which call for support where it is needed, minimum disruption to student learning, and a zero tolerance for violence. The QTU has developed a zero tolerance for violence and aggression poster that will be sent to every school. It was noted that fewer directives have been issued to members in schools since the Minister for Education Grace Grace reiterated the zero tolerance for occupational violence in schools message at the QTU’s Biennial Conference.
Phone ban
Council carried some resolutions in relation to the mobile phone ban announced by the state and federal governments, which the QTU is seeking more information about, including additional resources to assist schools in implementing the ban, which will be effective from Term 1 2024.
National issues
Vice-President Leah Olsson reported that Queensland had the highest rate in the nation of parents withdrawing their children from the NAPLAN test.
The QTU continues to actively participate in the For Every Child: Fully Fund State Schools national campaign.
The QTU’s Voice Project Officer Michael Beale advised that work was continuing to inform QTU members of the many reasons to vote yes in the forthcoming Voice to Parliament referendum. All Union Reps have been sent a Yes Campaign kit.
Other issues
Financial statements for 30 April, 31 May and 30 June were received, and delegates were advised that the QTU’s Sunshine Coast office would be relocating to a new address on School Road in Maroochydore. More information about the office location will be provided to members in the Sunshine Coast area in the near future.
While Life Membership was conferred on former QTU activist and officer Paul Waters at Biennial Conference, the presentation of the Life Member award and badge occurred just before lunch at State Council. Paul accepted the award and thanked his family, fellow activists, and fellow officers for their support during his term of office as QTU Organiser for North Queensland.
Council delegates overwhelmingly carried changes to the QTU’s Structures, Procedures and Services Policy, to clarify that information provided by the QTU to those seeking election to a QTU position is only to be used for the purposes of written communication or telecommunication to members.
Further policy changes and a report will be brought to November Council as a result of the impact of the Fair Work Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) on QTU employment practices.
Council endorsed a change of date for the August Council meeting next year, changing it to Saturday 10 August, instead of Saturday 3 August.The final State Council meeting of 2023 will be held on Saturday 4 November.