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sunlit_musicHi everyone, The Greens are naturally concerned about the flaws of this Bill - the following text in blue is from the Greens' website: http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/greens-will-move-amend-flawed-vsu-bill • Guaranteeing that the student levy would be directed towards student organisations, Senator Hanson-Young said the Greens would be seeking to remedy the Bill’s weaknesses. “We are concerned that the Government’s proposed legislation will impose a new levy on students, without students actually having a guaranteed say in how their money is spent,” she said." Spread the word about this if you deeply care about your right to be heard, and the rights of others to have affordable services and safe spaces. Tell them it is vital that Student organisations receive the funding they need in order to be able to support students the best way they can.
Check out lj user fliboing's post at lj community australian_left: http://community.livejournal.com/australian_left/206115.html?view=1998371#t1998371
It's likely that the Proposed Higher Education Legislation Amendment Bill will be discussed in the AustralianSenate this week.This bill is about the Student Services and Amenities fee. The Howard Government made the Student Services and Amenities fee voluntary through introducing Voluntary Student Unionism in 2005.
If this bill is passed, we won't get compulsary student unionism back (compulsory student unionism is where all University students, are members of their Student Union/Guild when they enrol at university). However, it will mean that Universities will be able to charge all students a compulsory fee (the Services and Amenities fee).
The Services and Amenities fee can be no larger than $250 every year, per student. The money paid for this fee will be used for paying for student services like:
-health clinics, - food
-parking, -bookshops
-childcare,
-counselling, academic support (tutoring) on campus
Universities will get to decide whether they will provide some of this money to student-run organisations like Unions or Guilds. Students Unions and Guilds provide representation and advocacy services to students. The new legislation also includes the option of a HECs style loan. This loan will allow eligible students to borrow funds from the government to cover the Services and Amenities fees.
According to fliboing, because of Voluntary Student Unionism four years ago, Universities have lost $170 million that should have gone towards these vital services. The loss of this $170 million blew up costs on campus – (fliboing says it cost her fifteen bucks just for a coffee and a salad at the cafe the other day).
Because of the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism, student organisations can no longer provide services at the level of quality they used to. The services they can no longer provide at the bet quality possible include (the following information is from fliboing's post):
*Providing students with support that allows them to appeal unfair academic decisions with adequate representation. At ECU there are several full time Education and Welfare Officers who are responsible for supporting students with academic concerns such as student appeals, legal advice, food vouchers, emergency loans, visa information (particularly with International Students), second hand books and computers and so on.
Without the necessary funding we will not be able to afford to employ these people and certainly would not be able to provide this essential assistance to students.
* Running anti-poverty initiatives (ECU Guild Provides free tea, coffee, toast and cereal to students that may not be able to afford the cost of living, as well as running campaigns about the high levels of student poverty).
* Running student Volunteering services and job opportunities.
* Providing students from disadvantaged groups with support and safe spaces. e.g. Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander students, students from rural/regional areas, female students (sexual harassment and assault on campus are still happening, and most student Guilds have a women-only support space or Women’s collective), Students with Disabilities and Students of Diverse Sexuality and Gender.
"The Greens made several recommendations regarding the Bill, including:
• Subjecting all fees levied to scrutiny, accountability, and transparency,
• Allowing for effective student advocacy and representation to universities and various levels of government, on issues that concern the quality of education and student welfare,
• Not supporting any attempt to restrict funding to student media.
Thank you.
Phoning Members of Parliament
Nationals Senate Leader – Barnaby Joyce
Parliament Contact
Phone: (02) 6277 3244
Fax: (02) 6277 3246
Independent Senator – Nick Xenophon
Parliament Contact
Phone: (02) 6277 3552
Fax: (02) 6277 5834
Family First Senator – Steve Fielding
Parliament Contact:
Phone: (02) 6277 3711
Fax: (02) 6277 5713
EMAILING MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
Nationals Senate Leader – Barnaby Joyce
Via Contact Form
Via Direct Email
E: senator.joyce@aph.gov.au
Independent Senator – Nick Xenophon
Email: senator.xenophon@aph.gov.au
Family First Senator – Steve Fielding
Email: senator.fielding@aph.gov.au
