ACT Australian Education Union secretary Glenn Fowler stood down over 'number of complaints', charged under union rules

In a week in which has seen a popular Canberra school principal stood aside over comments about mandatory vaccinations, ACT education has been embroiled in another controversy with local Australian Education Union branch secretary Glenn Fowler stood down.

Mr Fowler has been on leave since March, though details on the absence have been scarce until now.

Branch members on Friday evening received an email revealing "a number of complaints" had been made against Mr Fowler. The email did not disclose the substance of those complaints.

"The branch immediately placed Glenn Fowler on paid leave and organised for an independent investigation of the complaints," it read.

"Following the investigation, charges were laid under the rules of the union."

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The AEU said it would deal with the matter under the union's code and it did not intend to comment further.

Under its code, the union was only empowered to investigate complaints made in writing by a paying member of the AEU. A confidential report can be presented to the branch executive, which was then sent to the subject of the complaint.

A member found to be in breach of the code could be expelled, suspended, or face a fine up to $100.

Dismissal would require a member to be found guilty of misappropriation of union funds, a "substantial" breach of federal branch rules, "gross misbehaviour", or "gross neglect of duty".

Mr Fowler has the right to appear before the AEU committee to defend himself, and appeal within 14 days of any finding.

It comes after it was revealed Charnwood-Dunlop School principal Rob Lans would be taking "some time out of the workplace", after he criticised mandatory vaccines for ACT teachers during a video with One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts.

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