[Greens-Media] Where to now from VSU, Minister Ellis?

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Tuesday 12 August 2008

Where to now from VSU, Minister Ellis?

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called on Minister for Youth Kate
Ellis to speak to the results of a report into voluntary student
unionism that Minister Ellis' office sponsored.

"The Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on Services, Amenities and
Representation for Australian University Students Summary Report shows
that voluntary student unionism has been devastating for universities,
and has undermined the quality of student support services on campuses
across the country," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"Despite the lack of publicity around the release of this damning
report, the results simply confirm what we already knew and should shock
no one," she said.

Senator Hanson-Young said the Federal Government should announce what it
plans to do about the negative impacts of voluntary student unionism. 

"The Government has confirmed it will not be reintroducing compulsory
student unionism. What the Greens want to know and students want to hear
is whether or not the current system of voluntary student unionism will
be scrapped," she said.

The National Union of Students and a number of universities have put
forward alternative solutions, including proposals based on a
combination of shared funding arrangements between students,
universities and government.

"Service delivery and the representative role of student organisations
must be supported. We urge the minister to look into these suggested
solutions from stakeholders, and to put an alternative proposal on the
table for debate," said Senator Hanson-Young.

The Greens Senator for South Australia said the track record of the
current Government on student welfare left much to be desired. "Nothing
was earmarked for struggling students in the current Budget," she said.

"It is disappointing that this lack of action on addressing the
voluntary student unionism crisis means that students cannot rely on
secure funding for 2009, and will be waiting at least another 12 months
to hear of any solid commitment to their predicament.

"Prime Minister Rudd speaks of his 'education revolution', which is an
admirable ideal. But is his 'revolution' for all students, or just those
who can afford it?" asked Senator Hanson-Young.

For further information please call Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760