On Wednesday, 30 July 2025 during Estimates hearings, I asked the Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training whether she had met with Queensland Teachers' Union representatives.
You can read my question and the Minister's response in full below, or in the official Parliamentary record of proceedings (Hansard) here.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am going to ask the member for Maiwar if he has a question he would like to ask.
Mr BERKMAN: I have; thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Minister, as we have discussed, your portfolio includes responsibility for TAFE but, as I understand it, the Queensland Teachers’ Union, which represents TAFE teachers, have repeatedly sought to meet with you but have so far been refused. Minister, how many times since your appointment have you met with or refused to meet with QTU and TAFE teacher representatives and why?
Ms BATES: I refute the assumptions in that my office has met with the Queensland Teachers’ Union. As the member would be well aware, the Minister for Education has carriage of the discussions about enterprise bargaining agreements with not only TAFE but Education Queensland staff.
Mr BERKMAN: The question though, Minister, was have you met with the QTU?
Ms BATES: I have answered that question.