State Council report - 4 November 2017
Queensland Teachers' Journal, vol. 123, no. 1, 9 February 2018, p. 4
Key issues discussed at November State Council included Workload and Wellbeing Awareness month (WWAM), the proposed 2018 branch restructure and the QTU state election campaign.
WWAM
Council received a report on the resources developed by the QTU to assist members to maximise their engagement in WWAM across the month of November. This included information about specific resources developed by the Union and planned social media content.
Branch restructure
Council considered a report regarding consultation that occurred in relation to the proposed branch restructure for 2018, including some concerns raised by individual branches about proposed regional boundary changes.
Council endorsed the creation of four new branches for the beginning of 2018, as well as subsequent adjustment to the size and composition of remaining branches to fit within the rules of the Union. The new branches are:
- Benowa Branch
- Kawana Branch
- Narangba Valley Branch
- Springfield Branch.
Council also supported a resolution that saw the Springwood and Logan East branches merge from the beginning of 2018.
As a trial for 2018, the Noosa Branch will remain in the Sunshine Coast Area Council but will be serviced by the Wide Bay Regional Organiser.
Because of the branch redistribution, Council endorsed the creation of an additional Area Council, with the new regions to be named as follows:
- Central Queensland Area Council
- Wide Bay Area Council
- Sunshine Coast Area Council
- Metropolitan North Area Council
- Metropolitan Central Area Council
- Metropolitan South Area Council
- Metropolitan West Logan Area Council
- Logan Redlands Area Council
- Gold Coast Area Council.
The regions that remain unchanged by the proposed branch redistribution include:
Peninsula Area Council
- North Queensland Area Council
- South Queensland Area Council.
Your current branch and area council membership may have changed following the redistribution. To check, log in to MyQTU at the QTU website. If your details are not correct, amend them online or, alternatively, contact the QTU office.
QTU state election campaign
Council endorsed the state election campaign action, including contributions to the QCU, joint public sector union and Parenthood campaigns.
Council received a report on planned state election activities, including:
- member to member phone calls
- social media posts
- TAFE video production
- direct mail and email contact to members in key electorates.
In addition, members were encouraged to support the QCU community campaign and individual QTU candidates standing for election by volunteering their own time to assist with campaign events.
Appointment Committee Report
As a result of the transfer of Elissa Ferguson from North Queensland to the new Metropolitan West Logan Regional Organiser position, Council received a report recommending Paul Waters be appointed Administrative Officer/Organiser, North Queensland from the beginning of 2018. Council endorsed Paul’s appointment.
Curriculum and national issues
Council considered a report regarding the national development of the NAPLAN Online program, and endorsed a statewide ballot of members to consider banning NAPLAN Online in Queensland state schools in 2018.
Council also condemned both the decision of ACARA to introduce robot computer marking of student writing tasks and Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham’s intention to introduce a national standardised phonics test.
Council also acknowledged the leadership that then Minister Kate Jones demonstrated at a federal level regarding the introduction of NAPLAN Online and the national phonics test.
Change the date
Council adopted a policy supporting the Change the Date campaign, which seeks a more inclusive date for Australia Day that will allow all Australians to celebrate the growth and achievements of our nation.
Brendan Crotty Deputy General Secretary (Member Organising)