CCIQ Constitutional Change
Following a Special General Meeting of CCIQ’s Board and members in Brisbane on 2 October 2012, CCIQ has adopted a new constitution. The new constitution will enable more effective representation and engagement with business and local chambers of commerce, providing a stronger unified voice for business in Queensland.
The main changes are as follows:
Formation of Regional Policy Councils
As the peak body for business in Queensland, CCIQ is raising the level of engagement and debate within its members, through the Regions and the Chamber movement generally in relation to policy.
As part of our mission to power the business potential of the state, it is critical that the voice of business is heard throughout Queensland. To achieve this goal, changes to the Constitution create a new Policy Board, effectively to enhance and give more voice to the previous Policy Council.
The purpose is to broaden the expertise available to CCIQ, to reinvigorate debate about policy within business and the Chamber movement in Queensland generally.
Ultimately, CCIQ intends for this to lead to more effective policy for business and to facilitate stronger representation and policy submissions to government at all levels effecting Queensland business.
Creation of New Membership Categories
To broaden the opportunities for membership, 2 new membership categories have been created;
Accredited Local Chamber Membership.
This new category offers local chambers of commerce the opportunity to affiliate more closely with CCIQ and receive the benefits of doing so. As part of that engagement, an accreditation process has been established by CCIQ.
Student Membership
Student Membership offers students wishing to pursue a business career the opportunity to become members of CCIQ. Membership will provide students with opportunities to network, access research and information tools and obtain an understanding of policy and debate at an early stage of their business career.
Political Neutrality
CCIQ has always been a politically neutral body, operating solely in the interests of Queensland’s business community and changes to CCIQ’s constitution enshrine this neutrality into the core of the organisation. To ensure and reaffirm CCIQ’s non-political status, clauses have been included in the constitution relating to directors and senior management of the organisation who may wish to seek political office. The constitution will ensure that any such moves must be fully disclosed and may require those persons to retire from the Board or organisation.
CCIQ will continue to actively engage in political debate and lobbying but does not endorse any political party, is not a member of any political party and is not affiliated to any political party.
The changes to the constitution have been ratified and come into effect immediately.