From Union Delegate to Founding a New Voice: Reflections on Representation, Accountability and the Birth of the Queensland Prison Officers Association
- Brian AJ Newman, LLB
- 17 hours ago
- 5 min read
A Journey That Started on the Frontline
Long before MYUNION existed, and before the Queensland Prison Officers Association (QPOA) was established, I spent many years actively involved in workplace representation within Queensland's public sector.
Like many workplace delegates, my involvement began with a simple belief:
"Workers deserve a strong voice, fair representation,
and an organisation that places members before bureaucracy."
The historical publications reproduced in this article capture a small part of that journey.
One article records my involvement as a Queensland Public Sector Union (QPSU) delegate representing correctional officers and advocating for safer workplaces.
Another highlights a successful campaign where I assisted members in recovering more than $110,000 in back pay after identifying entitlement issues affecting correctional officers.
At the time, the work was never about personal recognition.
It was about ensuring members received the representation they deserved.
Fighting for Safer Workplaces
The first article highlights concerns raised by correctional officers regarding workplace safety within Queensland correctional centres.
Those concerns included:
Inadequate training opportunities;
Escalating violence within correctional facilities;
Insufficient separation between inmates and staff;
Concerns regarding workplace design and security;
Risks associated with increasing prisoner populations.
These concerns were not theoretical.
They were issues affecting frontline officers every day.
The article records that correctional officers were reporting difficulties accessing essential training because management frequently refused to release staff from operational duties.
Many officers believed workplace safety was being compromised.
As workplace representatives, our role was to ensure those concerns were heard.
The subsequent Safety Audit validated many of the issues that members had been raising for years.
It demonstrated the importance of workers having a strong collective voice capable of challenging management when genuine safety concerns exist.
Recovering More Than $110,000 for Members
Another article reflects a matter that remains particularly memorable.
While reviewing workplace records, discrepancies were identified affecting correctional officers' entitlements.
The issue ultimately led to successful recoveries exceeding $110,000 for affected members.
The article reports that one member alone received approximately $25,000 in back pay.
For the affected officers, this was not merely an accounting correction.
These were wages and entitlements that workers had earned and were entitled to receive.
The experience reinforced an important lesson:
Workers should never assume that payroll systems are infallible.
Employees must remain vigilant regarding:
Award classifications;
Overtime payments;
Shift penalties;
Allowances;
Enterprise agreement entitlements;
Superannuation contributions.
Workplace representation is often at its most effective when it identifies problems before they become systemic.
A Changing Union Landscape
Throughout Australia, unions have historically played a critical role in improving working conditions.
Many of the workplace rights enjoyed today exist because workers organised collectively and demanded change.
However, no organisation is immune from criticism.
Over time, increasing numbers of workers began expressing concerns regarding the effectiveness of their representation.
These concerns were not necessarily directed at individual delegates or officials.
Rather, they reflected broader frustrations that were emerging across various sectors.
Members frequently raised issues such as:
Slow responses to enquiries;
Lack of communication;
Insufficient consultation;
Failure to pursue issues aggressively;
Perceived disconnection between leadership and frontline members.
Whether those concerns were justified in every case is a matter for individual members to determine.
What cannot be disputed is that many workers increasingly felt their voices were not being heard.
The Growing Demand for Alternative Representation
As dissatisfaction grew, conversations began occurring among workers who believed alternative forms of representation were needed.
Many employees wanted organisations that were:
More accessible;
More responsive;
More member-focused;
Less bureaucratic;
More willing to challenge employers when necessary.
These conversations were not unique to Queensland.
Across Australia, workers in various industries were questioning whether traditional representation models were still meeting their needs.
For many, the issue was not whether unions should exist.
The issue was whether unions were sufficiently accountable to the members they represented.
The Formation of the Queensland Police Officers Association
The Queensland Prison Officers Association was established against this backdrop.
Its creation was driven by a belief that police officers deserved an organisation dedicated exclusively to representing their interests.
Many officers believed their concerns required:
Stronger advocacy;
More direct member engagement;
Greater accountability;
A renewed focus on frontline issues.
The objective was straightforward:
To create an organisation that remained firmly connected to the people it represented.
The establishment of QPOA reflected a desire by many officers to build something different.
Something responsive.
Something member-driven.
Something prepared to challenge existing approaches where members believed change was necessary.
Lessons Learned
Looking back, several lessons stand out.
Representation Must Be Earned
Workers do not owe loyalty to organisations.
Organisations earn loyalty through service.
Members remain engaged when they feel heard, respected, and represented.
Communication Matters
Many workplace disputes escalate because workers feel ignored.
Regular communication is essential.
Accountability Is Essential
Representative organisations should welcome scrutiny.
Transparency builds trust.
Frontline Workers Must Remain the Priority
Any representative organisation that loses touch with its members risks losing its purpose.
How These Experiences Influenced MYUNION
The experiences described in these historical articles continue to influence the philosophy behind MYUNION today.
MYUNION was created around several simple principles:
Accessibility;
Education;
Advocacy;
Accountability;
Empowerment.
Workers frequently tell us that they feel overwhelmed when dealing with workplace issues.
Many do not know where to turn.
Many cannot afford traditional legal representation.
Many simply want someone to listen.
MYUNION seeks to fill that gap by providing information, education, support, and advocacy to workers who may otherwise struggle to navigate workplace disputes.
Looking Forward
The workplace landscape continues to evolve.
Technology is changing work.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries.
Economic pressures are increasing.
New challenges are emerging.
However, one principle remains unchanged:
Workers deserve effective representation.
Whether through unions, associations, workplace delegates, employee advocates, or other representative structures, workers must have access to organisations that genuinely place members first.
The historical articles featured here represent more than memories from another era.
They serve as reminders that workplace representation matters.
They demonstrate the impact that dedicated advocacy can have on workers' lives.
Most importantly, they reinforce the belief that representation should always be accountable to the people it serves.
That principle helped shape the journey from workplace delegate to advocate, influenced the formation of new representative organisations, and continues to guide the work undertaken through MYUNION and the Queensland Prison Officers Association today.
About MYUNION
MYUNION is a free membership organisation dedicated to empowering workers through education, advocacy, support, and workplace rights awareness.
Membership is Free for Life.
All life members receive access to a free consultation regarding workplace concerns.
gethelp@myunion.au | 1300MYUNION | www.myunion.au
About QPOA
The Queensland Prison Officers Association advocates for the interests, welfare, safety, and professional concerns of corrective services personnel across Queensland, with a focus on strong member representation and accountability.