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Further,  if  such  an  appointment  hasn’t  already  been
                                                              made, National Council  should determine who should
                                                              be the Acting Branch Secretary pending the return of
                                                              Jason Miners.

                                                              We say this with the caveat that National Council should
                                                              appoint  on  a  temporary  basis  a  Branch  Executive

                                                              Advisory  Team  comprising  of  the  current  ‘elected’
     The rank & file newsletter focused on Qld branch and     officials of the Branch Executive. It is understood that
     national MUA policy & direction.                         subject to medical approval Paul Petersen may return to
                                                              normal duties shortly. The selection of an advisory team
                                                              working  alongside  current  elected  officials,  should
        “Special Edition” June 7. 2021                        include  a  recent  official  with  the  experience  of  office

             BREAKING NEWS – Qld Branch                       administration  and  management.  It  should  include
                                                              National  Council  to  appoint  the  Deputy  National
    Comrades, some, or all may be aware Jason Miners as       Secretary  to  liaise  with  this  team  to  ensure  its
    Acting Branch Secretary of the Qld Branch was taken ill   effectiveness.
    and as far as we know, at this stage, off work for at least
    two weeks. Members have not been officially informed      This advisory team should operate on a temporary basis
    who is relieving in the Branch as a replacement but is    for a determined period and have all the powers of the
    believed Aaron Johnson has taken up a role.               Branch  Executive  as  per  Rule  26.  The  ‘team’  will  be
                                                              required  to  meet  on  a  regular  basis  as  agreed.
    We don’t know who the Acting Branch Secretary would       Decisions made would be by universal consensus, with
    now be or for how long. The report at the May BMM that    the Deputy National Secretary assisting and supporting
    ‘extra  resources’  were  sought  by  the  Branch,  from   the agreed consensus if this is possible, if not determine
    National  Office  for  an  extra  reliever  but  the  Branch   the  best  of  alternative  actions  proposed  and then  the
    reportedly, was knock-backed. They sought extra reliefs   decisions becomes final and binding.
    on the basis they were ‘snowed under with work’ two
    official already off sick, and one unable to take any leave   The essential function of the ‘team’ would be to assist in
    after his relief position period was now 7 months.        propelling  the  branch  forward  and  how things  can  be
                                                              done better for the future. If this concept of a branch
    Whatever  short-term  solution  National  Office  may     administration, even if temporary, is to be successful, it
    consider  will  not  solve  this  dysfunctional  branch  and   will  require  great  effort  and  compromise  by  ALL
    continuing  loss  of  confidence  by  R&F  members in  its   concerned. For example, whoever is appointed Acting
    leadership.  It  calls  for  a  considered  assessment  with   Branch  Secretary  in  the  interim,  he  would  have  to
    brave and bold decisions by them, equally important is    understand  he  does  not  have  unfettered  managerial
    consultation and a say by the members of the Branch.      control  of  the  branch.  He  will  need  to  work
                                                              collaboratively with the members of the ‘team’ and set
    The ongoing crisis of management in the Branch is well    aside any differences of opinion from the past.
    known in Qld, National Branch’s, and National Office.
    It’s been there since the leadership change in 2019 and   If the proposal is taken up, it will contribute further to the
    the many disastrous results since. Progress to a better   advancement of the Union, directed as it should always
    accountable and transparent Branch should be driven       be in the best interests of the members. National Office,
    by firstly conceding recognition of this problem in the Qld   more  particularly  the  National  Council,  will  need  to
    Branch and with its Branch membership ..                  accept that a mixture of limited, management oversight
                                                              and a greater degree of devolved responsibility could
    With that in mind, this is a proposition put by your R&F   well provide the best possible means by which a very
    Newsletter publishers. WE believe this is not the time for   troubled  and  under-performing  branch  can  emerge  to
    the a ‘business as usual’ selective method in decision    finally play its part in the development of the union.
    making, nor one where cronyism or patronage should
    play a role in the interim or longer period. Nor should it   Finally, the union will always do better in its decision-
    be enacted by any central control by a few acting on the   making  in  consultation  with  the  membership.  If  the
    National or remaining Qld Executive in controlling the    concept  is  broadly  endorsed  amongst  the  leadership,
    direction for the Qld Branch under these circumstances.   there ought to be consultation with the Qld members by
                                                              an obvious calling of a Special Meeting for this purpose.
    A proposition to National Council, Qld Branch
                                                              The publishers acknowledge the contribution of others
    National Council should exercise its powers under Rule    towards this article.
    15(c)(viii) of the Divisional rules, to effectively place the
    Qld Branch under ‘temporary’ national administration.
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