[Greens-Media] Hanson-Young: Greens deliver greater student say in services fee, want counter-VSU Bill to return

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

Tuesday 18 August 2009

Greens deliver greater student say in services fee, want counter-VSU
Bill to return

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Greens are disappointed that
voluntary student unionism remains in place for now, but hope that the
Government will bring back the Student Services and Amenities Bill
complete with Greens' moves for greater student autonomy.

The Senate voted on the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student
Services and Amenities, and Other Measures) Bill 2009 as its first item
of business today. It was defeated. The Bill would have seen
universities collect a levy of $250 from each student annually, to go
towards student services.

"While the Greens are disappointed that this long-awaited counter to
voluntary unionism has been defeated this time, it is a positive thing
for undergraduate, postgraduate and international students that Greens
amendments were taken on by the Government within the Bill's
guidelines," said Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for
Education.

"The Greens sought concessions to ensure that students are given more of
a say in what their money is spent on, and through proper scrutiny and
annual reporting, know where their $250 ends up.

"We are glad that the Government saw the value in supporting greater
student autonomy through compliance, transparency and accountability
measures within the Bill's guidelines.

"While the Government's Bill would not have fully restored independent
student advocacy and representation, it would have gone some way to
breathing life back into essential services on campus."

Senator Hanson-Young said the Greens hoped that the Government would
bring the Bill back again in the future.

"Voluntary student unionism, brought in under the Howard Government, has
had a devastating impact on services for students on campus - from
employment services and childcare to student media, sport and arts
bodies," she said.

"The Greens will be ready to talk to the Government when it brings back
this important Bill.

"University students in Australia - be they undergraduate, postgraduate
or from overseas - deserve a better quality of services on campus, and a
say in what those services should be."

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760