Major Shake-up in Queensland Education Authority
The Queensland government has sparked controversy by removing two union leaders from the state's curriculum authority board and replacing them with conservative figures, including the founding chair of right-wing lobby group Advance. The dramatic changes come amid escalating tensions with teachers over pay negotiations that have already led to industrial action.
Education minister John-Paul Langbroek's office confirmed on Thursday that Queensland Teachers' Union president Cresta Richardson and Independent Education Union branch secretary Terry Burke would be removed from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) board.
New Appointments Signal Conservative Shift
Their replacements include Leesa Jeffcoat, a former diocesan director of Catholic Education with over two decades of experience in Queensland's Catholic school system, and James Power, a businessman and hotelier with strong Catholic community ties.
Power has recently ventured into establishing St John Henry Newman College, described as geared toward "classical, western tradition" and scheduled to open in 2026. More controversially, he served as inaugural chair of Advance, the right-wing lobby group that has campaigned against net zero emissions targets and supported hardline anti-immigration positions.
The government has also appointed former education department regional director Mark Campling as the new QCAA chair, following the sudden resignation of previous chair Carol Nicoll in June after eleven years in the position.
Union Leaders Learn of Removal Through Media
Both Richardson and Burke discovered they were being removed from their positions through media reports rather than direct communication from the government. "I was a bit surprised to learn of my removal via the Australian," Burke told Guardian Australia. "I always try to extend courtesy to people that I deal with and I'd like to think that I might similarly have received some in return."
Richardson expressed concerns about the qualifications of the new appointees, stating: "Queenslanders expect board appointees in key positions to have experience, understanding and strong relationships in the education sector. I'll let the community judge this decision."
Pay Negotiations Breakdown and Industrial Action
The board changes occur against a backdrop of failed enterprise bargaining negotiations between Queensland public school teachers and the Crisafulli government. In October, teachers overwhelmingly rejected the government's final offer of an 8% pay rise over three years.
Negotiations that began in February are now headed to arbitration at the Fair Work Commission. Union members have already undertaken industrial action this year, with further strikes expected as the dispute continues.
The QCAA has also faced recent scrutiny following a high-profile examination error that saw 140 students at nine schools preparing for their final Year 12 history exam on the wrong Caesar topic.
Minister Langbroek described the board changes as a "fresh start" for the authority, telling the Australian newspaper: "The QCAA board needs a diverse skill-set that includes educational leadership, governance and strong communication skills, and that's what our changes will deliver."
However, Burke expressed disappointment at the suggestion that he lacked these qualities, noting: "This is the job that, frankly, I do every day." He defended the QCAA's thorough processes and suggested the Caesar exam mix-up required investigation at school level rather than reflecting board-level failures.
