A joint working party comprising employer and employee representatives has been tasked with reviewing and making recommendations on a contemporary PAR structure for Queensland Catholic schools. Their final report will be released by 31 October 2011.

It is through the work of school officers in administration, library, technical and other roles that our schools are able to provide a quality education for all students. The increasing complexity and intensity of the work requried of school officers thus needs to be reflected in updated position descriptions which properly recognise, reclassify and reward the contribution of all school officers.

This year, union members have been actively campaigning for fair funding for non-government schools. At the end of August, the Gonski Review Committee’s Interim Report was handed down. It is abundantly clear that if we don’t make our voices heard now, and do all we can to urge our federal politicians to get this school funding process right, then our non-government education sector (and ultimately members’ jobs) are at risk.

In January 2012, all existing state-based Workplace Health and Safety provisions will be harmonised to form legislation that is nationally consistent. This change will affect your workplace.