[Greens-Media] Hanson-Young: International student struggles highlight need for student say in fee under VSU bill

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

Monday 17 August 2009

International student struggles highlight need for student say in fee
under VSU bill

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Greens still hold concerns
that the Government's proposed student services fee legislation will not
provide any guarantee that student support services will be properly
funded.

The Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and
Amenities, and Other Measures) Bill 2009 will be debated in the Senate
this week, as the Rudd Government's counter to voluntary student
unionism and its impact on student services, which was imposed by the
Howard Government. It will see a student services levy of $250 collected
directly by universities.

"The Greens have been clear from the outset in our negotiations with the
Government on this Bill - students deserve to have a say in how their
money is spent," she said.

"This Bill must guarantee that a portion of funds collected through the
fee is allocated to student organisations in the universities, with
proper transparency for both universities and student bodies."

Senator Hanson-Young said the recently publicised problems experienced
by international students in Australia highlighted the need for
autonomous student organisations to be guaranteed funding under the
Bill.

"The current spotlight on international students is showing that some
universities have not been delivering adequate information or support
for their students," she said.

"The deterioration of autonomous student representation under voluntary
student unionism has meant that students have found it much more
difficult to know their rights, and voice their need for certain
services.

"This legislation will simply allow the status quo to continue, where
universities will decide what student money will be spent on, without a
guaranteed, independent voice for students.

"If student bodies were allocated funding through the proposed student
services fee, they could properly represent their members' interests,
whether they are undergraduate, postgraduate or international students.

"Students should not be handing over money in the form of a student
services fee without having a say in how that money is spent.

"The Greens will be seeking for the legislation to be amended, so that
student groups on campus will be supported adequately through this
Bill."

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760