Qld: Compulsory student unions fees won't be reintroduced

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2008
Qld: Compulsory student unions fees won't be reintroduced

By Petrina Berry

GOLD COAST, Aug 11 AAP - The federal government is working on rebuilding tertiary students'
services eroded since voluntary student unionism was introduced, acting Prime Minister
Julia Gillard says.

Ms Gillard, who is also the Education Minister, described the Howard government's decision
in 2005 to ban compulsory university student fees as "the cruelest" it had made.

But despite her comments and a report saying voluntary unionism was having a negative
impact on university life, Ms Gillard said today the government had no plans to reintroduce
compulsory student union fees.

"As the report released by my department shows ... students are missing out on vital
services, sporting opportunities, welfare services, counseling services ... the kinds
of things students rely on and need while they're at university," she said.

"We are working with our universities to rebuild.

"We have invested already $500 million through our Better Universities Renewal Fund
and that money can be used for student services for the capital development for student
services if universities choose."

The Department of Education report has found small universities and regional campuses
suffered most because of a lack of amenities and services provided to students.

The National Union of Students (NUS) says it is time to establish a new system to protect
student organisations following the introduction of VSU (Voluntary Student Unionism)."

"VSU has had a devastating impact on campus life and culture, but also on essential
support services that student organisations provide to help students while they're at
uni," NUS spokesman Angus McFarland told ABC Radio.

Ms Gillard today opened the private Bond University Mirvac School of Sustainable Development
building at the Gold Coast.

She also defended the $3 million the government invested in the building, which she
described as a "six star green rating" building.

"The Rudd government wants every university and indeed every school in this country
to be a provider of excellent education," she said.

"That's why we support all of the universities in this nation and support schools whether
they are in the state system, the private system or the Catholic system.

"We want people to have choice and we want every choice to lead to a quality education."

The building cost the university a total of $11 million to build and is being heralded
as a world leader in sustainability after the Green Building Council of Australia awarded
it a six-star green rating.

AAP peb/jt/jlw

KEYWORD: VSU GILLARD NIGHTLEAD

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