Kevin Bates
Queensland Teachers' Union President
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Kevin is a secondary social science teacher and taught in Queensland state schools in Biloela, Redcliffe, Kedron and Dunwich from 1987-1994. He has been an officer of the QTU for 24 years, as an Organiser (1994-2000 and 2007-2011) and Industrial Advocate (2000-2006) prior to becoming president.Kevin Bates was first elected to the position of President of the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) in state wide elections held in 2012 and re-elected in 2015 and 2018. The QTU represents more than 45 000 teachers, principals and administrators in Queensland state schools and TAFE colleges. The QTU is one of the largest and oldest registered industrial organisations in Queensland. Kevin is also the President of the Australian Education Union – Queensland Branch and serves as an executive member of the Queensland Council of Unions and the Australian Education Union.In December 2015, Kevin was appointed as an Ambassador for White Ribbon Australia. In this role Kevin is committed to standing up, speaking out and acting to end violence against women.As a product of Queensland State Schools, Kevin is a fierce advocate for public education and the students and teachers it serves so well. Kevin has extensive experience and advanced tertiary qualifications in mediation and negotiation, including a master’s degree in Industrial Relations.
@QTUPresident