Queensland University of Technology Amendment Bill 2021
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill reduces the QUT Council from 22 to 15 members to improve governance efficiency and align with national best practice guidelines. It cuts the number of government-appointed and elected positions while increasing Council-appointed additional members, and requires student representation to include both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Who it affects
QUT staff and students will have fewer elected representatives on the governing Council. Some current Council members will lose their positions without compensation. Alumni representation shifts from elected positions to a requirement that at least 2 additional members be QUT alumni.
Key changes
- QUT Council reduced from 22 to 15 members
- Governor in Council appointed members cut from 8 to 3
- Elected staff positions reduced: academic staff from 3 to 2, professional staff from 2 to 1
- Elected alumni positions removed entirely; at least 2 of 4 Council-appointed additional members must be alumni
- Student representation must include one undergraduate and one postgraduate student
- Quorum reduced from 12 to 8 members; removal vote threshold reduced from 15 to 10
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee1 Sept 2021View Hansard
Referred to Education, Employment and Training Committee
The Education, Employment and Training Committee examined the Queensland University of Technology Amendment Bill 2021, which proposed reducing the QUT Council from 22 to 15 members and restructuring its composition. The committee recommended the bill be passed with amendment, specifically requesting clarification that staff members removed from the council under transitional provisions would remain eligible to fill casual vacancies. The government accepted both recommendations and committed to moving the amendment during consideration in detail.
Key findings (4)
- The bill proposed reducing the QUT Council from 22 members to 15 and changing the balance between appointed, elected, and official members.
- The committee raised concerns about the Minister's proposed power to remove existing appointed members from office without compensation, noting implications for administrative power and individual rights.
- The committee examined fundamental legislative principles and flagged that the removal power should be sufficiently defined and subject to appropriate review.
- The government accepted the committee's recommendation to amend the bill to protect the eligibility of displaced staff members for casual vacancies on the council.
Recommendations (2)
- The committee recommends the Queensland University of Technology Amendment Bill 2021 be passed with amendment.
- The committee recommends that the Minister amends the Bill to clarify that an elected academic staff member or an elected professional staff member of the QUT Council who ceases to be a member under new sections 77 and 78 of the Bill continues to be eligible to fill a casual vacancy under section 20A of the Queensland University of Technology Act 1998, during the current QUT Council term.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading16 Nov 2021View Hansard
▸24 members spoke22 support2 oppose
As Minister for Education, introduced and defended the bill to reduce the QUT Council from 22 to 15 members, in line with best practice governance codes. Rejected concerns that smaller councils compromise governance, noting all issues raised by critics occurred under the existing 22-member council.
“Twenty-two members is a lot of members. I think it makes sense to reduce membership to 15.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As shadow minister for education, confirmed the LNP would not oppose the bill. Acknowledged the bipartisan committee recommendation and the governance reforms aligning QUT with national best practice, while noting the NTEU's concerns about consultation.
“The Liberal National Party will not be opposing this legislation. I acknowledge the bipartisanship of the parliamentary committee with respect to its recommendation.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As committee chair, supported the bill noting the committee's rigorous inquiry process, bipartisan support, and the two recommendations including clarifying transitional provisions for displaced council members.
“The policy objective of this bill is to streamline QUT's council and to adopt best practice under the university's voluntary code.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As committee deputy chair and QUT graduate, supported the bill as fundamentally about efficiency and best practice governance. Did not share the NTEU's concerns, noting the various interest groups within the university will continue to be represented.
“The university has asked for these changes in order to be compliant with what the university sector sees as best practice in terms of its management.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a committee member, supported the bill noting submissions from Griffith University and QUT in favour, and the NTEU's opposition. Highlighted the committee's unanimous recommendations.
“A smaller governing body will ensure the appropriate representation for the university and improve the effectiveness, participation and responsiveness in council meetings and operations.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a committee member, confirmed KAP would not oppose the bill. Acknowledged the committee process identified issues that led to adopted amendments and praised the consultation process.
“From the outset, I say that the KAP will not be opposing the Queensland University of Technology Amendment Bill.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a committee member, supported the bill as an important governance reform for a statutory body established by state legislation. Emphasised the importance of providing contemporary governance structures for public institutions.
“Governance matters, especially for statutory bodies and effective university administration, matters in the long-term future of our important institutions of higher learning.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a committee member, supported the bill as straightforward governance reform that will create efficiencies. Noted the university's extensive consultation process of 65,000 emails seeking feedback.
“The good thing about this bill is that in the long run it will create efficiencies in the governance processes of the university.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
Supported the bill as fundamentally about good governance, drawing parallels with the Financial Services Royal Commission which identified governance failures as the root cause of problems. Criticised the federal government for excluding universities from JobKeeper.
“At the core of this bill is the improvement of governance for universities.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
Opposed the bill, arguing it represents a redistribution of power away from accountable elected representation towards unaccountable government and corporate appointments. Raised concerns about conflicts of interest in university governance and the erosion of democratic principles.
“I know a power grab when I see one, and I definitely see one in this bill.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a former QUT Council member, supported the bill and its governance reforms. Highlighted QUT's research contributions including coral reef recovery studies and STEM mentoring programs for young women.
“QUT requires a governance structure with a council that can oversee the university and the work that it is doing to make sure that it is steered in the right direction.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
Supported the bill as aligning QUT with other modern university councils. Acknowledged the NTEU's concerns about low consultation response rates but noted the proposed model is functioning well at other universities.
“It is proposed that the model will align QUT with other modern university councils and we see that those universities are functioning well.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a former educator, supported the bill's governance reforms to enable the QUT Council to be more flexible and responsive, in line with best practice. Discussed the importance of strong university leadership in a post-pandemic environment.
“Our new global environment, impacted by the pandemic, requires a swift adaptability and flexibility from leaders to provide effective governance.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
Supported the bill, sharing personal connections to QUT. Noted the governance reforms are both timely and necessary given the competitive and ever-changing environment facing universities.
“If a contemporary governance structure allows QUT a more seamless way of operating in an increasingly competitive and ever-changing environment then the proposed reforms in this bill are both timely and necessary.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a QUT alumnus, supported the bill to streamline the council for more efficient governance. Noted the new arrangements increase student voting representation by four per cent despite overall council reduction.
“Despite the reduced numbers on the council, the new arrangements provide for an increase in student votes of four per cent.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
Opposed the bill as a 'Trojan Horse for corporatising our universities'. Argued there is no evidence smaller councils improve effectiveness, cited Victorian research showing larger councils correlate with better teaching outcomes, and criticised the reduction in elected staff and student representation.
“This bill is a Trojan Horse for corporatising our universities. It will reduce collegiality, transparency and accountability.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
Supported the bill, detailing the current council composition and the proposed changes. Noted that student member numbers remain unchanged and the bill introduces requirements for balance including alumni and undergraduate/postgraduate representation.
“The bill makes no changes to the number of elected students, member for South Brisbane—two—or official members—three.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a QUT alumnus who completed a Masters in Property Economics, supported the bill as creating clean and effective governance. Highlighted QUT's Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety (CARRS) as an example of the university's real-world impact.
“Coming very much from the corporate world, to me that sounds clean. It sounds as though the governance will still be protected and I think, if anything, enhanced.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a QUT graduate, supported the bill noting the bipartisan support throughout the committee process. Shared personal connections to QUT spanning three generations of her family.
“It is safe to say that QUT has changed the landscape of Queensland learning.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a former QUT student guild president and council member, supported the bill as reasonable and appropriate to align with best practice governance codes. Acknowledged the NTEU's concerns but noted the initial proposal of 13 members was already increased to 15 in response.
“It is reasonable and appropriate to consider best practice and to allow the university to be more in line with the voluntary code of best practice for the governance of Australian universities.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a QUT law graduate who studied externally while raising three children, supported the bill as a sensible streamlining of governance. Praised QUT's programs for regional students and high school STEM pathways.
“This bill is very important because it really streamlines the QUT governance board and structure for the real world.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
Supported the bill to modernise and streamline the university council in line with national best practice. Highlighted QUT's COVID-19 research contributions and renewable energy partnerships.
“The proposed reduction in size is intended to allow the council to be more flexible and responsive in its operations.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
Supported the bill while acknowledging the NTEU's concerns about staff representation. Emphasised the importance of universities to the Queensland economy and criticised the federal government for excluding universities from JobKeeper.
“We in this place must recognise how important our universities are as part of our economy but also our society.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
As a QUT law alumnus who studied externally while starting a family, supported the bill as evidence of the Palaszczuk government's commitment to consulting with stakeholders. Praised QUT's flexible arrangements enabling diverse pathways to education.
“It is important that there are appropriate governance structures in place to ensure that the Queensland University of Technology can continue to strive and go from strength to strength.”— 2021-11-16View Hansard
▸In Detail16 Nov 2021View Hansard
Inserts new section 82 to clarify that an elected academic staff member or professional staff member whose term of office ends under transitional sections 77 and 78 continues to be eligible under section 20A of the QUT Act to fill a casual vacancy arising during the current council term, as if the person had not been elected.
Assent date: 24 November 2021