Glass continues its coverage of the QUT Guild Student Representative Council (SRC), the fifth SRC meeting of the year took place on June 42025, in room E259 at the Kelvin Grove Campus.
Each month, the elected student representatives and Guild Executives gather to discuss proposals, vote on motions, and raise issues affecting QUT students. These meetings are a vital part of student governance, as the outcomes often have a direct impact on student life.
Glass attends each meeting to keep you informed about how your student representatives are advocating on your behalf. All QUT students are welcome to participate in SRC meetings or submit motions for consideration. If there’s something you’d like to see change on campus, the SRC is one of the most effective platforms to make your voice heard.
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
You can find the meeting minutes here.
You can also access the meeting agenda and documents associated with motions raised at the meeting in this folder.
AND WE’RE OFF!
The meeting was opened at 6:30pm by the Chair, Jaime Moretti, and began with an Acknowledgement of Country. The Guild acknowledged the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which QUT now stands, recognising their enduring connection to teaching, learning, and community.
The Chair noted the following apologies for the meeting: Treasurer Gaurang Aggarwal, Welfare Officer Steven H Wu, Postgrad Officer Maskeen Kaur, International Officer Manya Sharma, and First Nations Officer Mitchell Swift.
No leaves of absence were recorded.
CASUAL VACANCIES!
Business and Law Councilor had two candidates for the SRC to consider:
Vishnu Raj, a Master of Business student who applied in May for the position and Caleb McGriffin, a second-year law student.
Raj had previously applied but was unsuccessful. Raj spoke of his abilities to engage with his peers, understand their concerns, and would like to collaborate with the student body to enhance their experience. McGriffin spoke about his endorsement of a platform that underlines the importance of proper student representation on campus. Following the discussion, the Council voted on the nominations.
Caleb McGriffin is your new Business and Law Councilor.
LET’S DIG INTO THOSE (E)MOTIONS
There were no motions with notice.
On to the motions without notice.
Condemn Adult Time, Adult Crime
The first motion of the evening was brought forward by CIESJ Councillor Elowyn Gampe and seconded by Environment Officer Georgie Dobbs. The motion called on the QUT Guild to publicly condemn the Queensland Government’s “Adult Time, Adult Crime” legislation, passed by the LNP, which allows children as young as 10 to be tried and sentenced as adults in some cases.
Gampe condemns the state’s increasingly punitive approach to vulnerable groups.
“We are seeing escalating attacks on the most oppressed people in society,” Gampe says Dobbs reinforces this, highlighting that the laws were being weaponised to disproportionately target Indigenous communities.
The discussion quickly gained momentum, with Business and Law Councillor Yuanyi Tham speaking in support of the motion, expressing frustration.
“Both major parties show little genuine interest in improving the lives of Indigenous people.”
As the debate intensified, Education Officer Erin Milne moved to suspend standing orders, allowing an extended 15-minute discussion. Milne took a firm stance against both the LNP and the ALP, criticising the mainstream framing of the youth crime debate.
“The ALP cannot continue to be seen as a progressive party while voting for carceral responses to youth justice.”
At one point, observer Connor challenged Guild Secretary Sebastian Page, a known Labor supporter, asking whether he personally supported the motion. This opened a broader conversation about political party affiliations and individual accountability.
SALT-affiliated members pushed back on the idea that party loyalty should override moral judgment. They noted that “youth crime is a racist media scare, whipped up by politicians” and emphasised the Guild’s responsibility to call out racism regardless of political alignment.
“We need to name parties when they uphold racist systems.”
Ren, the Queer Officer, echoed this sentiment.
“When your values no longer align with your party’s actions, it might be time to leave.”
Ren also spoke about the developmental capacity of children, pointing out the injustice of holding 10-year-olds criminally accountable.
“They don’t fully understand the consequences of their actions – this is not justice,” they said.
Deputy of the Queer Collective built on Ren’s comments by advocating for rehabilitation over detention.
“The solution isn’t harsher punishment—it’s support, education, and care,” she said.
As the conversation briefly shifted toward party politics, President Emme Muggleton intervened to clarify that the discussion needed to remain in line with regulations—she reminded the room that it was the Chair’s responsibility to decide when to move forward with voting.
Finally, Page addressed the room, responding to earlier comments by reading out a statement he had previously written on the same issue. He included a quote from a Narangba resident, reinforcing his support for the motion while acknowledging the complexity of political alignment.
With no speakers against the motion and a strong consensus in the room, the motion passed unanimously.
Solidarity with CFMEU on Strike
Guild opened the floor to the second motion rooted in student-worker solidarity, standing with CFMEU members currently striking against logistics company QUBE. Moved by Dobbs and seconded by Tham, it called for the Guild to publicly support the striking workers, demand the reinstatement of a sacked employee, and affirm the right to strike as a fundamental pillar of union power.
“The QUT Guild stands in full support of the CFMEU workers fighting for better wages, conditions, and safety,” the motion read.
It also denounced government-imposed union administration, reaffirming that the Guild’s political position should support union members’ right to elect their own leadership.
Gampe spoke passionately in favour of the motion, drawing on their experiences speaking directly with workers on strike.
“These workers are incredibly brave for putting up these fights.
“As a union, we should stand for a safe workplace, where slurs aren’t hurled, and safety is not negotiable.”
Connor expanded the conversation to the broader union landscape, referencing teachers, nurses, and other workers facing similar pressures while also critiquing party politics and affiliations.
Dobbs used their right of reply to bring the focus back to the workers themselves.
“What these workers are doing is right, it’s really brave.
“Workers make the world go round,” she said, reiterating the the importance of taking collective action and called on the Guild to stand beside striking workers—not just in words, but in person.
The motion passed without opposition. The Guild stood together for a group photo after the meeting, which will be sent to the CFMEU as a symbolic gesture of solidarity between students and workers.
US Aid in Gaza
The last motion of the night turned its attention to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Moved by Milne and seconded by Disability Officer Ethan Johnstone, the motion demanded meaningful political action and humanitarian accountability in response to the devastation caused by Israel’s ongoing military operations.
The motion called for:
- The immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza
- The Australian government to impose sanctions on Israel
- Government-backed reparations to support the rebuilding of Gaza
- The urgent resumption of international aid from reputable humanitarian organisations
“Our government has done fuck all about it,” Johnstone said,
“As everyday people, it’s hard to do much, but where we can, we must campaign, speak out, and demand action. Gaza needs to be rebuilt. It’s on us to enforce that change.”
Connor spoke passionately in support, referencing recent atrocities and criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s refusal to sign a joint statement issued by the UK, France, and Canada.
“Other governments are taking a stand—why is ours still silent?” he asked.
Milne used her right of reply to bring the conversation back to moral responsibility.
“One in five people in Gaza are facing immediate starvation.
“This isn’t just a foreign policy issue. It’s the biggest humanitarian crisis of our generation,” she said.
She also highlighted Australia’s material role in the conflict, referencing military equipment produced in Brisbane that has been exported to Israel.
“If we can see it, we have a moral obligation to oppose it.”
The motion passed with strong support from all the representatives.
The meeting ended at 7:57pm.
The next SRC meeting will be held on July 24 at Gardens Point.
Glass will continue to cover each meeting, allowing students to stay informed, involved, and empowered. If you’d like to have your say or bring an issue to the Council, remember: SRC meetings are open to all currently enrolled students.
