On Thursday the 23rd of January, the first Student Representative Council (SRC) meeting for this year was held. The meeting opened at 6:14pm at Gardens Point campus, chaired by the current Secretary Sebastian Page who abstained from voting due to their position.
First Up, Collective Reports!
Georgie Dobbs, the Environmental Officer, presented their report on a recent trip to the National Union of Students conference (NUS NatCon). The NUS is the highest representative body for students in Australia. This year at NatCon they met and discussed the policy platform for 2025. Georgie outlined two important topics of debate at the conference, The cost-of-living crisis and education cuts. You can read Glass’s report on the NUS conference here.
Michael Pendergast, the current Convenor for the Disability Collective presented their report. The Disability Collective currently has 26 registered members, with their last meeting being held on the 26th of January. 9 members attended this meeting, and the minutes can be found in the collective’s public files.
Isaac Oliver, Secretary of the Queer Collective, presented their collective’s report. They have 388 registered members as of their last meeting in November of 2024. The new governance team came in over the uni break. When asked why they hadn’t had any meetings this year, they said they plan no formal events over uni break.
Next Up, Casual Vacancies!
Next were the casual vacancy elections. Three of the vacant positions were voted on including the positions of Council Chair, Women’s Officer and Postgraduates Officer. The Council Chair position resulted in a vote of no confidence, the position will stay open for more applicants and be voted on at the next meeting. Samara Kyrtsanas was voted in as the Women’s Officer for 2025 and the vote for Postgraduates Officer was moved to the next meeting due to the absence of both candidates.
On To The Motions!
The first motion was moved by the Convenor of the Disability Collective, Michael Pendergast:
It is proposed the following amendments are made to s9.9 of the QUT Guild Disability
Collective Terms of Reference:
9.9. Elected Office Bearers shall hold office for a year commencing upon their
election during the immediate meeting of the Collective following the first
QUT Guild Council meeting of its term of office to the same meeting the
following year.
9.9. Elected Office Bearers shall hold office for a year commencing upon their
election during the October or November meeting of the Collective to the
same meeting the following year.
The motion passed unanimously.
The second motion was moved by Georgie Dobbs, Environmental Officer:
Climate Change Destroys LA
- The QUT Guild rejects the premise that “now is a time to mourn” and supports protests against the government’s inadequate preparation and response.
- The QUT Guild demands an immediate stop to all fossil fuel extraction and demands mass investment in renewable energy across the globe to decarbonise as rapidly as possible.
An amendment to the motion was put forward.
- The QUT Guild rejects the premise that “now is a time to mourn” and supports protests against the government’s inadequate preparation and response.
- The QUT Guild demands an immediate transition from all fossil fuel extraction and demands mass investment in renewable energy across the globe to decarbonise.
- The QUT Guild supports the fair remuneration of SES volunteers and volunteer firefighters which recognises the risk inherent in their position and their crucial service to the community.
The amended motion passed.
The final motion was moved by Yuanyi Tham:
January 26th is invasion day
- The QUT Guild acknowledges that January 26 is Invasion Day and publicly endorses the upcoming Invasion Day rally.
- The QUT Guild will organise a contingent to the Invasion Day rally as a sign of support and solidarity with the fight for Indigenous rights in Australia.
- The QUT Guild condemns the Labor and Liberal parties for their complicity in upholding racist laws and institutions that perpetuate anti-Aboriginal racism.
An amendment to the motion was put forward:
- The QUT Guild recognises that January the 26th is a day of mourning for Indigenous peoples as it’s brings up memories of generational trauma.
- The QUT Guild will promote the Invasion Day rally as a sign of support and solidarity with the fight for Indigenous rights in Australia.
The amended motion passed.
That’s It!
The meeting closed at 8:55pm.
We will be bringing students coverage of these meetings throughout the year, so you have insight into all the goings-on in your Student Representative Council (SRC). These meetings include the motions that Guild Executives and other students put forward for the SRC to vote on, and which will directly impact your university experience. Meetings are held monthly and can be attended by all current students. If you want to see change on campus, we encourage you to put forward a motion to the SRC.
