Voluntary Student Unionism

I am against voluntary student unionism, becuase it means less services... and as a student it makes sense to pool resources in this manner.

anyway...

One of the concessions secured in the negotiations to have recent higher education changes passed was the elimination of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) from the package. However, the Liberal government has recently reneged on this deal and announced its intention to introduce the VSU Bill. This issue will be debated in the next few months.

VSU means that membership to your student organisation is not automatic upon enrolment rather, students opt in. Our current system of universal membership means that all students become members upon enrolment - this ensures that students remain in control of student affairs and student unions are able to provide the many essential services and representation to its members. Where VSU has been introduced it has had devastating effects. At Curtin Uni in WA the unions membership income was reduced from $3million to $100 000 and as a result departments such as womens, queer, and disabilities were closed down. For more information on VSU please visit www.guildonline.net/getpolitical

The Education Action Group and Student Guild is encouraging all students to write to the independent senators (Len Harris - QLD, One Nation; Brian Harridine - TAS; Shane Murphy - TAS, former ALP; Meg Lees - SA former Democrat).
The result will depend on the independents as the ALP and Greens will vote against the bill.
We will also be placing petitions on EAG Stalls and Student Guild Information Centre Desks.
So please send an e-mail to each of the independent senators and sign a petition. (There is an example leter below.)

Len Harrris
senator.harris@aph.gov.au

Brian Harridine
senator.harridine@aph.gov.au

Shane Murphy
senator.murphy@aph.gov.au

Meg Lees
info@megsdesk.com or senator.lees@aph.gov.au

And a reminder that Campus Education Action Groups will be meeting again in Week 4 and preparing for the National Day of Action to Fight the Fees.

Monday 12pm KG, A Block Lawn
Tuesday 12pm GP, Kidney Lawn
Wednesday 12pm CA, Student Lounge (outside Guild Info Centre, Level 3, C Block)

Details for the National Day of Action:
Meet 12pm, Kidney Lawn, Gardens Point for free BBQ. March to King George Square for 1pm Rally.
(Note KG and CA students will be meeting on their respective campus and catching bus to GP - more details to come).

See ya
Kirsten Harte
Education Director

Dear Senator [Insert Senator's Last Name],

As you are aware the Government has again raised the spectre of voluntary student unionism. I know that in the past you have shown good judgement and rejected this policy. I thought that I would write to you to reiterate why voluntary student unionism is an extremely flawed policy in order to reinforce your opposition to it.

Universal membership of student organisations is necessary to fund the many essential services that such bodies provide to students. For example, each year the QUT Student Guild successfully assists hundreds of students appeal their exclusion from the University for poor academic performance. Many of these students are from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds who have had trouble adapting to life at a major urban university. Without the help of their Student Guild they would be forced to leave without a degree. The Student Guild also runs an employment and accommodation service that is of particular use to disadvantaged students, especially those from a rural background who desperately need to find a place to live and a job to support themselves. Other examples of the valuable services the QUT Student Guild provides includes: free legal advice, free centrelink advice, free advocacy in disputes with the University, and subsidised childcare. QUT Student Guild representatives also sit on various University boards that make decision that effect all QUT students to ensure that their rights and interests are taken into account.

Under voluntary student unionism these services would not exist. The QUT Student Guild plays a similar role to a local council in that it charges a levy that is used to provide a number of essential services to the community which it represents. As everyone benefits from the services the QUT Student Guild provides everyone has an obligation to make a contribution. It is interesting to note that the ACCC has recently ruled that the public benefits of universal students unionism outweighs any disadvantage. Further numerous court cases in Australia have ruled that universal membership of student is not an infringement of one's rights to freedom of association. It is also important to state that students at QUT and in most other Australian universities can already opt out of membership to their student organisation by becoming a conscientious objector.

I sincerely hope that you will resist all attempts by the Government to introduce VSU.

Kind regards.

[Insert your name
and address here]