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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’

officials of the Branch Executive. It is understood that
The rank & file newsletter focused on Qld branch and subject to medical approval Paul Petersen may return to
national MUA policy & direction. normal duties shortly. The selection of an advisory team
working alongside current elected officials, should
include a recent official with the experience of office
“Special Edition” June 7. 2021 administration and management. It should include
BREAKING NEWS – Qld Branch National Council to appoint the Deputy National
Secretary to liaise with this team to ensure its
effectiveness.
Comrades, some, or all may be aware Jason Miners as
Acting Branch Secretary of the Qld Branch was taken ill This advisory team should operate on a temporary basis
and as far as we know, at this stage, off work for at least for a determined period and have all the powers of the
two weeks. Members have not been officially informed Branch Executive as per Rule 26. The ‘team’ will be
who is relieving in the Branch as a replacement but is required to meet on a regular basis as agreed.
believed Aaron Johnson has taken up a role. Decisions made would be by universal consensus, with
the Deputy National Secretary assisting and supporting
We don’t know who the Acting Branch Secretary would the agreed consensus if this is possible, if not determine
now be or for how long. The report at the May BMM that the best of alternative actions proposed and then the
‘extra resources’ were sought by the Branch, from decisions becomes final and binding.
National Office for an extra reliever but the Branch
reportedly, was knock-backed. They sought extra reliefs The essential function of the ‘team’ would be to assist in
on the basis they were ‘snowed under with work’ two propelling the branch forward and how things can be
official already off sick, and one unable to take any leave done better for the future. If this concept of a branch
after his relief position period was now 7 months. administration, even if temporary, is to be successful, it
will require great effort and compromise by ALL
Whatever short-term solution National Office may concerned. For example, whoever is appointed Acting
consider will not solve this dysfunctional branch and Branch Secretary in the interim, he would have to
continuing loss of confidence by R&F members in its understand he does not have unfettered managerial
leadership. It calls for a considered assessment with control of the branch. He will need to work
brave and bold decisions by them, equally important is collaboratively with the members of the ‘team’ and set
consultation and a say by the members of the Branch. aside any differences of opinion from the past.

The ongoing crisis of management in the Branch is well If the proposal is taken up, it will contribute further to the
known in Qld, National Branch’s, and National Office. advancement of the Union, directed as it should always
It’s been there since the leadership change in 2019 and be in the best interests of the members. National Office,
the many disastrous results since. Progress to a better more particularly the National Council, will need to
accountable and transparent Branch should be driven accept that a mixture of limited, management oversight
by firstly conceding recognition of this problem in the Qld and a greater degree of devolved responsibility could
Branch and with its Branch membership .. well provide the best possible means by which a very
troubled and under-performing branch can emerge to
With that in mind, this is a proposition put by your R&F finally play its part in the development of the union.
Newsletter publishers. WE believe this is not the time for
the a ‘business as usual’ selective method in decision Finally, the union will always do better in its decision-
making, nor one where cronyism or patronage should making in consultation with the membership. If the
play a role in the interim or longer period. Nor should it concept is broadly endorsed amongst the leadership,
be enacted by any central control by a few acting on the there ought to be consultation with the Qld members by
National or remaining Qld Executive in controlling the an obvious calling of a Special Meeting for this purpose.
direction for the Qld Branch under these circumstances.
The publishers acknowledge the contribution of others
A proposition to National Council, Qld Branch towards this article.

National Council should exercise its powers under Rule
15(c)(viii) of the Divisional rules, to effectively place the
Qld Branch under ‘temporary’ national administration.