The Queensland government has triggered a major shake-up in the state's education leadership, removing two prominent union figures from the curriculum oversight board and replacing them with conservative appointments. This controversial move comes amidst escalating tensions with teachers over failed pay negotiations and follows a high-profile exam blunder that affected hundreds of students.
Board Restructuring and New Appointments
Education minister John-Paul Langbroek's office confirmed on Thursday that Queensland Teachers' Union president Cresta Richardson and Independent Education Union branch secretary Terry Burke would be removed from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority board. Both leaders discovered their dismissal through media reports rather than direct communication from the government.
Their positions will be filled by Leesa Jeffcoat, who served for over two decades as a diocesan director of Catholic Education in Rockhampton, and James Power, a Queensland businessman and hotelier with strong Catholic community ties. Power previously chaired the right-wing lobby group Advance and is establishing St John Henry Newman College, described as a school geared toward "classical, western tradition" and scheduled to open in 2026.
Context of Industrial Action and Curriculum Controversy
These board changes occur against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between the Crisafulli government and Queensland's teaching workforce. In October, teachers overwhelmingly rejected the government's final pay offer of 8% over three years, with enterprise bargaining negotiations now headed to arbitration at the Fair Work Commission.
Union members have already undertaken industrial action this year, with further strikes expected as tensions continue to mount. The board restructuring also follows the embarrassing revelation that 140 students across nine schools had been preparing for the wrong Caesar topic in their final Year 12 history exam.
Reactions and Government Justification
Both ousted union leaders expressed disappointment at their removal and the manner in which it was handled. "I was a bit surprised to learn of my removal via the Australian," Burke told Guardian Australia. "I always try to extend courtesy to people that I deal with and I'd like to think that I might similarly have received some in return."
Richardson questioned the qualifications of the new appointees, stating: "Queenslanders expect board appointees in key positions to have experience, understanding and strong relationships in the education sector. I'll let the community judge this decision."
Minister Langbroek defended the changes as a "fresh start" for the QCAA board, telling the Australian newspaper that the board needed "a diverse skill-set that includes educational leadership, governance and strong communication skills." The government has also appointed former principal and education department regional director Mark Campling as the new QCAA chair, replacing Carol Nicoll who resigned suddenly in June after eleven years in the position.
Burke rejected any suggestion that the Caesar exam mix-up reflected poorly on QCAA processes, noting that the authority maintains thorough procedures and that the incident required investigation at the school level.
