9 May 2024 | Open PDF
Term 2 Women’s e-News
This term, there are two items of interest that you might like to report to branches and Area Councils in your role as a QTU Women’s Contact. Alternatively, you might use a different method, e.g. discussing them at a staff meeting.
- Superannuation – Quarterly hot topic
- Reproductive health leave.
Superannuation – Quarterly hot topic: Salary sacrificing your super
According to QSuper, if you earn more than $45,000 per year, salary sacrificing may help you pay less tax now and have more money for your retirement. Salary sacrificing means diverting part of your salary into your super before you pay income tax on the money.
QSuper has given us a link if we want to learn more: How salary sacrifice can add to your super and help you save on tax (qsuper.qld.gov.au). The sacrifice calculator and case studies are helpful, and it is also possible to find other articles about the topic by searching “salary sacrifice” on QSuper’s home page.
Reproductive health leave
The Queensland Council of Unions (QCU)’s launched its Reproductive Leave Campaign on International Women’s Day this year. 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 or use the link provided.
Reproductive health can have an impact on all workers. It affects men and women at every stage of their working life. The QCU campaign has been fighting for an entitlement which provides leave and flexibility for workers to address reproductive health issues that impact on their capacity to work.
On Labour Day, it was announced that Queensland public servants are to get 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.
Members are encouraged to read one of the many news reports about this change, such as this one: Queensland public servants to get paid leave for reproductive healthcare - ABC News
As the article above points out: “Queensland public servants will receive 10 days paid leave for reproductive healthcare and superannuation for all parental leave.
“The leave entitlements are expected to be in place by October this year, with superannuation payments to take effect from July.”
No doubt there will be more news to come on this exciting win, which will positively impact thousands of QTU members.
The campaign continues nationally
ACTU congress is held every three years and is being held next month, in Adelaide. Congress provides a chance for the broader Union movement to set the national policy agenda.
QTU Senior Officers and elected representatives will be attending as part of the Australian Education Union (AEU) delegation.
The AEU will be pursuing Reproductive Health Leave as a workplace right, one that all public education workers across Australia should have.
Gillian Crotty
QTU Assistant Secretary - Women’s Coordinator, Social Welfare Issues
Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064