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10 Speak Out April 2017
Association news
SPA AND TEQSA SIGN MOU
SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA and the Tertiary Education
and Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) have a mutual interest
in maintaining and improving the quality of speech pathology
graduates in Australia. TEQSA is the independent regulator of
the higher education sector and aims to protect the interests of
students by ensuring education providers meet minimal national
standards. TEQSA accredits universities against the Higher
Education Standards Framework. Speech Pathology Australia
accredits university programs to assure the general public of the
quality of graduates from Australian speech pathology university
programs.
Speech Pathology Australia and TEQSA have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate sharing
of information, streamline approaches to accreditation and
ultimately to improve the quality of speech pathology graduates.
TEQSA will be aiming to sign an MOU with other professional
bodies in the future.
For further information on this initiative please refer to: teqsa.
bodies
THE FIRST BOARD meeting for 2017 was held in
Melbourne on 17-18 March 2017.
Some of the meeting highlights included:
• Speech Pathology Australia’s Auditors, Grant Thornton
Australia, presented the audit report and financial
statements for the year end 31 December 2016. The
Board accepted the report, which will be distributed to
members with the agenda for the 2017 Annual General
Meeting.
• Significant discussion was held around refining the
Association’s 2017-2019 Strategic Plan. The Board will
hold a meeting (via teleconference) in April 2017 to ratify
the final plan ahead of its release to the membership in
mid-2017.
• Previous approval to alter the membership renewal
period to a financial year was confirmed. Membership
fees for 2018/2019 were determined and will be
presented to members for approval at the SPA Annual
General Meeting.
• The Board demonstrated their commitment to the
provision of cultural responsiveness training, with a
complimentary workshop being held for members
ahead of the 2017 National Conference, Sydney. Other
negotiations are occurring to provide further training to
members across the country.
• A number of minor changes to CBOS (2011) were
approved. These changes relate to embedding
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health curricula
into our entry-level competencies and accreditation
standards.
• Consideration was given to models the Association can
utilise to further support majority world countries and
developing communities. A policy is currently under
development.
• The Association continues to pursue a response to the
Senate inquiry with meetings sought with government
officials, including the new Minister for Health, The Hon.
Greg Hunt, MP.
• Policy and advocacy priorities were also determined as
part of the strategic plan.
• The final report from the credentialing project was
discussed with the Board committing to pursue a
number of the recommendations, including defining
advanced and extended practice and establishing a
consistent approach to developing national standards
for advanced skills and roles.
• In-principle support was provided to the Ethics Board
seeking an ARC Linkage Grant to explore outcomes
from the Ethics Education Package.
• The Board agreed to host an AAC Assisted Technology
Systems Forum aimed at bringing together consumers
of AAC Assisted Technology Systems and speech
pathologists who have experience and involvement
with AAC Assisted Technology System prescription and
support.
• Discussion occurred around the theme for Speech
Pathology Week, with the Board agreeing that the
theme will focus on Communication Accessible
Communities (in line with Aspiration 1 of the SP2030
Vision).
The Board will next meet on Friday 26 and Saturday 27
May, preceding the WiFi: Working and investing in Future
innovations, SPA National Conference, Sydney 2017.
Notification of the Association’s AGM will be distributed to
members in the near future.
SPA Board meeting
ABOVE: TEQSA Director of Engagement Karen Treloar, SPA Senior
Advisor Professional Standards Stacey Baldac, with TEQSA CEO
Anthony McLaren and SPA CEO Gail Mulcair.
Gail Mulcair
Chief Executive Officer