Page 1435 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 6 April 2005
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If the level of fees is an issue, that is a separate debate and not logically connected to voluntary unionism. A user-pays system is not suitable for the students, many of whom are living on a low income and already struggling with increasing HECS fees. It is also very important to have a democratic voice representing tertiary students. We have seen recently how effective student associations can be with lobbying against increased HECS fees. ACT student associations have been involved in that and have also been active in providing advocacy and support for international students.
I note here that a lot of the changes that the federal government has introduced into funding for universities have meant universities have an increased reliance on full-fee-paying international students. Many of those students need heaps of support. I have seen students wandering around campus with poor English skills and very little support. Without student associations, they will not get that support. It is not a logical corollary from forcing universities to raise their own funds. In fact, I think we need student associations more as a result of that. An attack on student associations also threatens jobs. The students association and union at the ANU employ around 140 people and at the University of Canberra they employ around another 120. Many of these jobs provide much-needed employment opportunities for students and young people undertaking vocational training.
I sum up with a quote from Senator Nettle, a Greens senator:
University education should be a well-rounded cultural experience which allows for sporting, artistic, political and social participation not simply attending lectures. This legislation is an attack on educational standards and a threat to the quality of Australian universities’ reputation.
I note that the ANU, having its place among the world’s best universities, did not get there through academic qualifications alone: It is partly there because of the services that it provides to its students and the support it gives students. The Greens will do whatever they can to support local student unions and other groups that oppose the proposed commonwealth legislation.
MR SESELJA (Molonglo) (3.26): I will be supporting Mrs Dunne’s amendments and I commend her on her amendments, particularly as they relate to freedom of association. I am a supporter of freedom of association. I would not say that I am someone who generally supports the Human Rights Act, but freedom of association is a good thing and Ms Dunne’s amendments go to that. It seems that freedom of association is all well and good for people like Mr Gentleman—until it relates to freedom not to be in a union, when, of course, it is thrown out the window.
I want to address three or four issues surrounding VSU up-front fees. The question for Mr Gentleman is: does he support up-front fees? The student union contribution, the general services fee, which is up to $590 at some universities, represents a compulsory up-front fee. You cannot get your degree without paying your $590 at the University of Sydney, or your $420 at the University of Technology. Does Mr Gentleman support this up-front fee? I am sure, when he sums up, he will answer that for us. The Labor Party are constantly going on about how they do not support fees, yet they are holding on to this up-front fee. They are holding on to this compulsory tax on students.
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