Adelaide Student Politics

This post is not local to Adelaide University, but covers a development that is likely to greatly affect it in the coming months.

After three years of voluntary student unionism (VSU), introduced under Howard, the current Labor government has taken steps to implement a system under which non-academic services may still be offered at universities. The Youth Minster Kate Ellis conducted a survey earlier in the year on the effects of VSU on campuses around Australia, from which the conclusion was that ‘VSU has had a negative impact on student services, amenities and representation’. In response to this, the current proposal is to charge students, starting from July next year, a $250 services fee. This fee may be deferred through HECS.

The Young Liberals have launched a campaign to combat the proposed changes, perceiving them to be the return of compulsory student unionism in disguise. It is worth noting at this point that the money collected from the fee will pass to university administrations, and not to elected student unions. Universities will have to comply by a series of benchmarks set by government as to how the money is spent. This has caused some concerns from the National Union of Students, although its President has commented that the money is badly needed.

The Adelaide Review published an article in 2004 assessing the impact of VSU on university campuses in SA. Paul Norton (at Larvatus Prodeo) cries ‘No taxation without representation,’ citing in his experiance how this leads to inferior student services. He also claims, in a rebuttal to those who disaprove of the left-wing ideology that fuels student unions, that prior to VSU, 'more dollars of student service fees have been misspent in half-baked capitalist ventures than in half-baked communist adventures'. This is in stark contrast to Irfan Yusuf, who while supporting VSU 'in principle', thinks it forced the diversion of funds that should have been spent on education into other areas. Thus, he supports a fee, provided it doesn't go towards student unions, as he fears that would 'signal a return to the days when student money was spent sending lefties to communes while Labor students get subsidised political training'. Jerome Buck makes a similar point. Andrew Norton would like to see less regulation placed on universities, as he believes the position of each will be different. This article pretty much echoes the views voiced by a lot of the left student politicians at Adelaide. Vex News puts a inflammatory headline to a ridiculous analysis which offers nothing to the reader, unless they want their prejudices confirmed (I post the link merely for entertainment value)

More reactions to be posted as I find them, and as more information becomes available…