No. 8-24, 16 May 2024 | Open PDF

TO: QTU MEMBERS                                                                                                           

The QTU works for members by negotiating outcomes to complex industrial and professional issues and by representing the profession on numerous committees and key stakeholder groups.

The Valuing Our Profession campaign continues – a Campaign Update will be sent to members tomorrow.

For Every Child

The Federal Budget handed down on Tuesday night has failed to deliver the funding that state schools need and will widen a $30 billion capital infrastructure divide between state and private schools.

It is deeply disappointing that this year’s Federal Budget has failed to increase the Commonwealth share of the schooling resource standard to 25 per cent, despite widespread support across the nation for this increase, from school leaders, teachers, parents, unions, community groups, and six state and territory governments.

This is a missed opportunity to deliver a nation-building investment for our children and our country. The issue of full funding of state schools is unfinished business for the Albanese government, and it must be resolved this year.

However, the QTU does welcome the announcement that from 1 July 2025, an estimated 68,000 students in essential services areas (including teaching) will receive the new Commonwealth practicum payment of $319.50 per week for the duration of their mandatory job placement.

Permission to Teach (PTT) teachers working in Queensland state schools will receive this future federal payment in addition to the prac/PEx payment the QTU negotiated with the Queensland Government, which is already being paid.

Next steps

Negotiations between the Albanese government and state and territory governments are still underway, and we are united in our resolve to campaign to achieve full funding.

QTU members know that fully funding state schools is the only way to ensure that every child gets every opportunity to succeed and that teachers and education support staff are backed with the resources they need to deliver high quality education for all.

Our campaign to fully fund state schools will be highlighted during numerous school visits and media and social media events in the week starting 27 May.

EB log of claims development meetings

Preliminary work on the next EB has begun, and it will continue throughout Term 2.  Special EB11 branch and area meetings are currently underway, giving members the chance to propose items to be considered for inclusion in the next log of claims.

All members, branch officials, and area council delegates will be invited to attend these meetings, to discuss achievements in EB10 and look at what we want to include in the log of claims for EB11.

More information will be available from your Organiser. Look out for an email telling you when and where these meetings are taking place.

QTU win – Fitness Passport to be extended

Thanks to QTU advocacy, the department is to extend the availability of the Fitness Passport to all DoE staff throughout the state.

This new agreement between the department and Fitness Passport will offer all education employees in Queensland (as well as their families) the chance to participate in the program.

Fitness Passport aims to provide discounted access to a range of fitness facilities close to a member’s home.

Further information and sign-up dates will be communicated via a future Working for Members, in conjunction with the department communications later in the term.

QTU win – reproductive health leave

It was announced on Labour Day that Queensland public servants are to receive paid leave for reproductive healthcare. Additionally, they will receive superannuation for the entire 52-week period of parental leave, whether the leave is paid or not.

Queensland union members have long been calling for the introduction of paid reproductive health leave, as this is a crucial industrial, health and safety, and community-wide issue. After all, anybody can be affected by reproductive health issues at some stage of their working life.

This announcement is a massive win for Queensland workers and our members. If you would like to read more about the campaign, which our own QTU members were part of, please check out the website https://itsforeverybody.au.

QTU stakeholder submissions

Work continues to ensure that member voices are heard on a range of draft strategic plan documents.

Department of Education’s draft strategic plan (2024-2028)

The department’s draft strategic plan will outline how it aims to achieve its strategic goals over the next four years. 

The QTU is currently seeking further information with regard to wellbeing and engagement and culture and inclusion dot points, and has raised concerns about the school opinion survey being used as an indicator of the success of Excellence and Equity.

Interim feedback also acknowledged that, while Excellence and Equity continues to be a focus, the underfunding of state schools means the strategy is being delivered by the invisible labour of teachers, principals, and school communities, and that no state school is Queensland is allocated 100 per cent of the schooling resource standard.

Draft Disability Workforce Strategy

In detailed feedback, the QTU noted the attempt to reduce the stigma of disability and highlight the implementation of workplace adjustments and support for staff with disability within the strategic strategy. However, the QTU has advocated that the inclusion and the accommodations associated with disability should be part of a systemic approach to inclusion.

Providing training about disability and accessible accommodations to all levels of staff in the department is essential, as it will benefit all and promote a much more inclusive workplace, e.g. multimodal staff meetings which can support engagement and participation. However, the QTU noted that the training, delivery, and promotion of professional development should not be dependent on a person who identifies as having a disability, or require them to disclose this information.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy (2024-2027)

The QTU’s former First Nations Officer and a former First Nations QTU member were participants in the co-design process of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy.

This work is vital to ensuring that the DoE makes proactive changes to enhance reconciliation with First Nations Peoples, building cultural capability more broadly in its workforce and ensuring that First Nations People view the employer as one of choice, with safe and supportive pathways to enhance their careers.

QTU advocacy continues, as there is a real concern that, while a number of actions are listed within the strategy, no deliverables have yet been determined. One individual from each division within the DoE has been delegated to lead an action. They are responsible for determining the deliverables associated within non-discrete timelines. It is unclear how each division will be held accountable, or how the deliverables or actions will be measured.

Submission to the Queensland Government’s “Putting Queensland Kids First” consultation draft

The QTU supported the development of a coordinated strategy and the programs outlined in the “Putting Queensland Kids First” draft proposal, as they could offer a means to give every young Queenslander the opportunity to thrive.

However, while the QTU appreciated the intent of the plan, concerns were raised about the use of brief examples or broad “motherhood” statements, rather than targeted, specific, and well-developed responses to the issues at hand.

Additional funding and training opportunities remain core attributes of QTU feedback and advocacy.

ECTA Early Childhood Conference

The 2024 ECTA Early Childhood Conference is being held as a hybrid event on 22 June.

For further information and to register, follow the link here: https://cvent.me/5W8nzD

IDAHOBIT

Friday 17 May is IDAHOBIT - the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia.

The DoE held an event at central office celebrating IDAHOBIT earlier this week and encouraged all workplaces to mark this occasion. Some ideas on the ways your workplace can mark this day of significance can be found here: https://www.qtu.asn.au/qtj1292-idahobit

We know that supportive schools and teachers make a huge difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ students; especially if their family isn’t supportive.

Would you like to know more about supporting LGBTQ+ students?  Members are invited to join us at QuEST’s Rainbow Matters training next Friday, 24 May.

Find out more details here: https://www.qtu.asn.au/aboutquesttrue

(NB: the full day PD costs $50 and is run by Dr Kirstine Hand from True, who also delivers the DoE whole staff training).

National Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June)

For First Nations Peoples, Australia’s colonial history is characterised by devastating land dispossession, violence, and racism. Although many significant steps have been taken towards reconciliation, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort and courage.

At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.

As a union and as a movement, we see the power of the collective every day. We see and understand that together we achieve great things for our profession and our students.

Reconciliation is Union business and as such, we must be involved - Now More Than Ever (#NRW2024):

• for our First Nations members and students
• to Close the Gap
• to make a difference
• for safe and healthy workplaces
• for our profession.
   

Find out more here: https://www.qtu.asn.au/rap​​​​​​​

Kate Ruttiman
General Secretary​​​​​​

 Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064