Welcome back to the Glass coverage of the Guild Student Representative Council (SRC) Meetings of 2024. This is our coverage of the November meeting held on Thursday 7th of November, D108, Gardens Point Campus.
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.
All current students can attend SRC meetings. If you want to see change on campus, we encourage you to put forward a motion to the SRC.
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
You can find the meeting minutes here once they are published.
You can also access the meeting agenda and documents associated with motions raised at the meeting in this folder.
AND WE’RE OFF!
When we walked into the meeting room, it was clear this was not going to be just another day at the office. The air was thick with anticipation, and you could practically smell the drama brewing. Each table was adorned with a fresh printout of the Guild’s Code of Conduct, a document that’s usually ignored unless someone’s already stepped a little too close to the line. Coincidence? Perhaps. Foreshadowing? Absolutely.
Deputy Chair Michael Pendergast, presiding with an aura of calm authority (or maybe just the calm before the storm), opened the meeting at 5:47pm and called attendance.
In attendance: James Reid (President), Sebastian Page (Secretary), Calissa Layden (Treasurer) (left early), Isabella Foley (Education Officer), Paulina Luisce (Welfare Officer), Erin Rayner (Engagement Officer), Jake Olver (Clubs and Societies Officer), Milani Rawlinson (Environment Officer), Maria Fernandez (Women’s Officer), Lauren Cuthbert (Queer Officer), Mal Fituch (Postgraduate Students Officer), Ethan Johnstone (Disability Officer), Jasper Vermeulen (Engineering Councillor), Georgie Dobbs (Engineering Councillor), Daniel Soltermann (Science Councillor), Maya Rawlinson (Health Councillor) (arrived late), Elowyn Gampe (CIESJ Councillor), Erin Milne (CIESJ Councillor), Louis Vu Phuong (Business and Law Faculty Councillor)
Apologies: Jovan Fersando (International Students Officer)
Leave of absence: Hetal Patel (Business and Law Faculty Councillor)
THE COLLECTIVE REPORTS
The meeting commenced with the Queer Collective presenting their report. They outlined their activities, including a meeting held in October to plan Halloween events. Additionally, they confirmed the scheduling of their election, which will take place on November 20th. The Collective reported having a membership base of 325 individuals.
Following the Queer Collective, the Disability Collective presented their report. They highlighted reaching a record-high membership, reflecting their growing engagement. The Collective shared the success of their recent Trivia Night, which received positive feedback from the 11 attendees. They also announced the completion of amendments to their constitution, ensuring it aligns with their evolving objectives.
ON TO THE MOTIONS! AND THERE ARE MANY, SO HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS!
Amend the QUT Guild Disability Collective Terms of Reference
You can read the full motion here.
The first motion, moved by Felix Park Weir and seconded by Disability Officer Ethan Johnstone, proposed notable amendments to the QUT Guild Disability Collective Terms of Reference. These changes included shifting the timing of elections to the October or November meeting to allow for greater stability. Certain executive roles, including Engagement Officer, Events Officer, and Room Maintenance Officer, are proposed to be held by two members concurrently to encourage collaboration and shared responsibility.
Additionally, a mandatory two-week notice period for election meetings was proposed to enhance transparency and fairness. A new executive position, the Room Maintenance Officer, was also proposed to oversee and coordinate the upkeep of the Disability Collective’s spaces and facilities.
The motion was put to a vote and passed unanimously.
For: James Reid, Sebastian Page, Calissa Layden, Isabella Foley, Paulina Luisce, Erin Rayner, Jake Olver, Milani Rawlinson, Maria Fernandez, Lauren Cuthbert, Mal Fituch, Ethan Johnstone, Jasper Vermeulen, Georgie Dobbs, Daniel Soltermann, Elowyn Gampe, Erin Milne, Louis Vu Phuong
Against: None
Abstained: None
Amend the QUT Guild Collective Governance Framework
You can read the full motion here.
The second motion, again moved by Felix Park Weir and seconded by Isaac Oliver, proposed amendments to the QUT Guild Collective Governance Framework, specifically targeting Section 4. The key changes included revising the timing of elections for executive positions. The amendment would shift elections from the inaugural meeting of the Collective or the second week of Semester 1 to a meeting held in October or November, allowing for a more stable and settled membership base. Additionally, a new clause was proposed requiring a minimum notice period of two weeks for any meeting in which elections are held, ensuring transparency and adequate preparation.
President James Reid praised the motion, calling it fantastic work, and Johnstone seconded the sentiment with equal enthusiasm.
The motion was put to a vote and passed unanimously.
For: James Reid, Sebastian Page, Calissa Layden, Isabella Foley, Paulina Luisce, Erin Rayner, Jake Olver, Milani Rawlinson, Maria Fernandez, Lauren Cuthbert, Mal Fituch, Ethan Johnstone, Jasper Vermeulen, Georgie Dobbs, Daniel Soltermann, Elowyn Gampe, Erin Milne, Louis Vu Phuong
Against: None
Abstained: None
Reaffirming the Guild’s Support for Student Safety on Campus
You can read the full motion here.
The third motion, moved by Secretary Sebastian Page and seconded by Queer Officer Lauren Cuthbert, proposed reaffirming the QUT Guild’s unwavering commitment to student safety on campus. This motion was prompted by an incident at the University of Sydney’s SRC RepsElect meeting, where members of the USyd Young Liberals allegedly tore up a 2018 report on sexual harassment, assault, and safety on campus during speeches by the Women’s Officers, which left many students feeling deeply troubled.
The motion called to condemn this behaviour in the strongest possible terms. It reaffirmed the Guild’s belief in tolerance and every student’s right to safety and security on campus and in society. The motion also reiterated the Guild’s steadfast support for victims of rape, sexual assault, hazing, and public humiliation, emphasizing the importance of accessible reporting services and the assurance that victims will be listened to and cared for.
During the debate on the motion Cuthbert delivered a powerful speech, highlighting the importance of setting a clear standard for leadership.
CIESJ Councillor Erin Milne took the floor with a fiery critique, condemning the normalization of dismissive and harmful rhetoric. Milne referenced past controversies, including allegations against political figures. They emphasized that the Guild must position itself as an organization that actively opposes misogyny and harmful ideologies, particularly with the likelihood of the LNP returning to power.
Engineering Councillor Georgie Dobbs added their voice to the debate, noting the proximity of these issues to Queensland and how vital it is for the Guild to condemn such “heinous acts”. They argued that the Guild is not just a representative body but a collective that must actively fight for justice and the protection of its members.
The motion was put to a vote and passed.
For: James Reid, Sebastian Page, Calissa Layden, Isabella Foley, Paulina Luisce, Erin Rayner, Jake Olver, Milani Rawlinson, Maria Fernandez, Lauren Cuthbert, Mal Fituch, Ethan Johnstone, Georgie Dobbs, Daniel Soltermann, Elowyn Gampe, Erin Milne, Louis Vu Phuong, Maya Rawlinson
Against: None
Abstained: Jasper Vermeulen
Palestine activists are being repressed!
You can read the full motion here.
The fourth motion was moved by Dobbs and seconded by CIESJ Councillor Elyown Gampe. The motion called for the Guild to condemn the recent actions of the Australian Government and police as a “heinous infringement on the right to protest” and referenced the violent policing of anti-war demonstrators at the Melbourne Land Forces Weapons Expo and the arrest of two 19-year-old students in Sydney for the “crime of putting up a poster. The motion called for the Guild to “condemn the Australian Government and Police for their disgusting suppression of activists.”
Dobbs passionately argued that this crackdown on dissent poses a grave threat to fundamental freedoms, calling it a “dangerous precedent being set”. They reminded the council of the importance of student unions in challenging these measures, asserting that activism is not “a green light to attack,” but rather a critical avenue for holding power to account.
Page and Gampe echoed this sentiment, stating that the right to protest is not just an abstract ideal but an essential pillar of free speech and civic engagement.
Dobbs stated that “crimes of protesting” should not exist in a society that values democracy and justice. The motion also called for the Guild to endorse the Justice for Palestine Meanjin rally, underscoring its solidarity with those unjustly targeted.
The motion was put to a vote and passed unanimously.
For: James Reid, Sebastian Page, Calissa Layden, Isabella Foley, Paulina Luisce, Erin Rayner, Jake Olver, Milani Rawlinson, Maria Fernandez, Lauren Cuthbert, Mal Fituch, Ethan Johnstone, Georgie Dobbs, Daniel Soltermann, Elowyn Gampe, Erin Milne, Louis Vu Phuong, Maya Rawlinson, Jasper Vermeulen
Against: None
Abstained: None
Abortion is a Human Right
You can read the full motion here.
The fifth motion addressed abortion as a fundamental human right, highlighting the glaring inadequacies in Queensland’s healthcare system and the continued political resistance to reproductive rights. The motion, moved by Gampe and seconded by Dobbs, called for the condemnation of the LNP for their longstanding anti-abortion stance and the ALP for failing to improve abortion accessibility despite past promises.
Gampe described abortion access as a basic human right and criticized both major political parties for their negligence, emphasizing that decisions about reproductive healthcare should not be dictated by “religious zealots and rights groups.” Dobbs called out both the LNP and ALP, condemning David Crisafulli’s misogynistic rhetoric and noting how abortion access has regressed under a decade of Labor governance.
Cuthbert shared a personal perspective from Bundaberg, revealing the significant barriers faced by regional residents, including a three-and-a-half-hour journey to access abortion services. Johnstone stressed that the debate extends beyond political ideologies, recounting tragic outcomes when abortion is inaccessible. Health Councillor Maya Rawlinson broadened the discussion by addressing medical realities, explaining that abortion pertains to more than just the removal of a foetus, but to a range of critical healthcare needs.
Page, as a Labor party member, issued an apology for his party’s failures, urging for continued advocacy. Education Officer Isabella Foley discussed the need for institutional and community support, highlighting that while those without uteruses may not be directly affected, they have a responsibility to uphold the right to choose. Cuthbert delivered a final powerful remark: “You don’t take away the right to abortion; you take away the right to safe abortion.”
The motion was put to a vote and passed unanimously.
For: James Reid, Sebastian Page, Calissa Layden, Isabella Foley, Paulina Luisce, Erin Rayner, Jake Olver, Milani Rawlinson, Maria Fernandez, Lauren Cuthbert, Mal Fituch, Ethan Johnstone, Georgie Dobbs, Daniel Soltermann, Elowyn Gampe, Erin Milne, Louis Vu Phuong, Maya Rawlinson, Jasper Vermeulen
Against: None
Abstained: None
Condemnation of Abusive Behaviour by Guild Representatives affiliated with SAlt
You can read the full motion here:
The sixth motion brought an electrifying mix of tension and drama to the council meeting, addressing allegations of abusive behaviour linked to Socialist Alternative (also known as Left Action) and the conduct of certain Guild representatives. Moved by President James Reid and seconded by Secretary Sebastian Page, the motion sought to reaffirm the Guild’s commitment to a safe and inclusive campus while holding organizations accountable for violating its policies. The debate quickly became a fiery confrontation, laying bare deep divisions among council members.
Reid opened with a sobering account of complaints received from students, including reports of verbal abuse, such as being called a “sexist pig” and “liberal scum,” and a petition with over 450 signatures condemning behaviour from members of Socialist Alternative in general, not specific to QUT. He referenced a student submission to QUT Love Letters, where someone shared they were “terrified” of entering campus due to the alleged harassment. Reid said that intimidation, regardless of political alignment, was unacceptable and violated the Guild’s Code of Conduct. His speech, while measured, drew immediate criticism.
Foley fired back, accusing Reid of sounding “like an absolute conservative” and claiming his stance undermined activism. Her passionate defence of activist efforts was paired with biting critiques of hypocrisy in other political circles, referencing “refugee-themed boat parties” and mismanagement within the Young Liberals. She challenged the framing of the motion, suggesting it veered too close to silencing dissent.
As the discussion progressed, Gampe called a point of order, their frustration evident, as tensions ran high. Cuthbert offered a more balanced perspective, stating she did not oppose Socialist Alternative’s broader goals but found their methods alienating and counterproductive. Meanwhile, Johnstone proposed that any violations of policy should be handled by HR, rather than being aired publicly in the council meeting. Members of Socialist Alternative in attendance laughed during the proceedings, fuelling the already charged atmosphere.
Foley continued to dominate the floor, doubling down on her argument that activism is crucial and criticizing any attempts to downplay its importance. She boldly declared she had achieved more for activism than many present, further polarizing the room. Gampe’s visible frustration reflected the growing tensions, while Reid maintained his position reiterating that the Guild must ensure its representatives abide by its policies and uphold its values of inclusiveness, respect, and openness.
The motion was put to a vote and did not pass.
For: James Reid, Erin Rayner, Mal Fituch, Milani Rawlinson, Maya Rawlinson, Jasper Vermeulen
Against: Isabella Foley, Paulina Luisce, Lauren Cuthbert, Ethan Johnstone, Jake Olver, Elowyn Gampe, Erin Milne, Daniel Soltermann, Georgie Dobbs, Louis Vu Phuong
Abstained: Maria Fernandez, Sebastian Page
This motion underscored the complexities of balancing activism with accountability and revealed the sharp ideological divides within the council. As the dust settled, it was clear this motion would be remembered as one of the most contentious and emotional moments in recent council history. While the decision was made, the heated exchanges and unresolved disagreements left a lasting impression.
Condemnation of LNP for scrapping our collective future
You can read the full motion here:
The final motion of the evening was a condemnation of the Queensland LNP government for scrapping two pivotal projects: the Truth-Telling Inquiry into historic institutional abuse of Indigenous peoples and the Pioneer Hydroelectric Dam. Moved by James Reid and seconded by Sebastian Page, the motion argued that these projects symbolized the path to a better future, one of reconciliation, renewable energy, and a vision far removed from the dystopian tendencies of the present. Yet, as the discussion unfolded, the room crackled with unspoken tension and sharp exchanges.
The debate was fierce. Reid slammed the government’s decision as a betrayal of progress and accused them of forsaking not just Queensland but the broader moral and environmental responsibilities these projects represented. His words landed heavily, yet they provoked more than just agreement. Dobbs snapped, “You aren’t different from any of these liberals,” a jab that sent ripples through the room. Reid, visibly agitated, slammed his laptop shut in frustration, the sound reverberating like a punctuation mark on the simmering discord.
The motion was put to a vote and passed.
For: James Reid, Sebastian Page, Paulina Luisce, Lauren Cuthbert, Erin Rayner, Ethan Johnstone, Jake Olver, Milani Rawlinson, Mal Fituch, Louis Vu Phuong, Maya Rawlinson.
Against: None
Abstained: Georgie Dobbs, Daniel Soltermann, Elowyn Gampe, Erin Milne, Jasper Vermeulen, Maria Fernandez.
While the Guild officially condemned the LNP’s actions, the room itself felt like a microcosm of the broader political landscape; fractured, intense, and deeply personal. With laptops slamming, accusations flying, and the abstentions speaking louder than words, it was impossible to ignore how tenuous the fight sometimes feels. The motion passed, but the cracks left behind will echo in the next meetings to come.
AND THAT’S ALL FOLKS!
With no questions or other general business, the Chair closed the meeting at 7:43pm. See you at the AGM on Wednesday, 27 November.
