The Australian Electoral Commission’s Post-Election report for our recent Branch Casual Vacancy Election is now available on this page.
Got questions or feedback to share? Get in touch with your AEU elected leaders!
Note: The post-election report includes a discussion of proposed rule changes affecting multiple AEU branches. Read the full report for all details; findings relating to Tasmanian Branch rules are excerpted below!
The Australian Education Union Rules, including Appendix A (‘Tasmanian Branch Rules’) can be found by clicking here. See pages 177-224.
The latest in your union:
Here are some of the most recent events in our union democracy:
- 23 July 2025 – Casual Vacancy (Insufficient Nominations) Election Results
- 20 October 2024 – Tasmanian Branch Election – AEC Post Election Report
- 2 September 2024 – Tasmanian Branch Rules Alterations (Meetings of Branch Council; Meetings of Branch Executive; Branch Employees)
AEC Report Findings:
(Click Here or navigate down to read the full report)
• The AEC has identified two (2) rules that were difficult to interpret or apply.
• The AEC has also identified two (2) rules that could be improved by reference to the model rules. Model rules for elections were published on 30 June 2025 by the Fair Work Commission. The AEC recommends all organisations consider whether their rules could be improved or updated by reference to those rules.
Rules pertaining to Tasmanian Branch that were difficult to interpret or apply:
| DIFFICULT RULE | WHY IS IT DIFFICULT | MODEL RULE |
| TAS Branch Rule 32(2)(a)(i) states that the ballot period will close at 5:00pm three weeks after opening. | A three-week ballot period is not sufficient time. The Returning Officer applied a s193, which extended the ballot period to allow sufficient time for voters to receive and return their ballot papers. | BC11.1 The postal ballot shall open not later than twenty-eight (28) days after the close of nominations. |
Rules pertaining to Tasmanian Branch that could be improved with a model rule:
In conducting the election, the AEC identified the following rules that could be improved to support how the election is administered. The rules could be updated using the model rules published by the Fair Work Commission (available at https://www.fwc.gov.au/registered-organisations/running-registered-organisation/rules-unions-and-employer-associations).
The organisation does not need to respond to the following suggestions (i.e. section 198 of the Act does not apply) but is welcome to do so and is encouraged to consider when these suggestions reviewing its rule book.
| RULE | OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE | MODEL RULE |
| Multiple AEU Branch Rules do not permit for progressive preliminary scrutiny, this includes: AEU QLD Branch Rule – 13(17) AEU WA Branch Rule – 13(17) AEU NSW Branch Rule – 31(7) AEU VIC Branch Rule – 57(12)(13) AEU ACT Branch Rule – 52(13) AEU TAS Branch Rule – 38(12) AEU SA Branch Rule – 52(13) | The AEU branch rules do not allow for progressive preliminary scrutiny. To avoid a delay in the scrutiny process and to ensure the ballot is declared within 14 days as per s106 of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 progressive preliminary scrutiny is the preferred method. | BC15.4 Before counting the votes, the Returning Officer must, in respect of each reply paid envelope: BC15.4.1 remove the declaration envelope from the reply-paid envelope; BC15.4.2 examine the voter’s declaration attached to the declaration envelope; and BC15.4.3 mark off the voter’s name against a copy of the roll of voters BC15.5 The Returning Officer may begin to carry out the requirements of sub Rule BC15.4 before the closing time of the ballot. |
Read the reports:
Tasmanian Branch Election Results
Members were asked to nominate and vote on elections for Tasmanian Delegates to AEU Federal Conference in 2026, including Tasmanian Branch Delegates and national roles.
The election results are below, or you can view more detailed information on the Fair Work Commission website.
Tasmanian Branch – All
| Federal Conference Delegate (2): | Lauren Duncan David Genford Result – No further nominations, both candidates elected unopposed |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Federal Conference Delegate (1): | Donna Watson Result – No further nominations, both candidates elected unopposed |
| National Principal Committee Member (1): | No nominations received |
| National Early Childhood Committee Member (1): | No nominations received |
| Yalukit Yulendj (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Committee) Member (1): | Donna Watson Result – No further nominations, candidate elected unopposed |
TAFE Division
| National TAFE Council Executive Member (1): | No nominations received |
| National TAFE Council Delegate (1): | Tristan Sabol Result – No further nominations, candidate elected unopposed |
| Yalukit Yulendj (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Committee) Member (1): | No nominations received |
