welcome to the save.higher.ed collective's

'NO_VSU'

ELECTRONIC SIT-IN

This action is taking place to protest the Australian Government's anti-student organisation legislation.

The save.higher.ed collective is outraged by the Govenment's ideological attack against student organisations and the ability of students to work collectively.

The Australian Government introduced the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Student Union Fees) Bill 2005 on Wednesday March 16 2005. This legislation will ban universities from collecting a service fee from each student, which are used to deliver essential student services through student organisations. This legislation will effectively cripple student organisations and their ability to deliver a range of services including:
· Emergency loans
· Food vouchers
· Canned food drives
· Free legal and tax advice
· Computer access and rooms
· Housing information and assistance
· Advocacy and representation
· Counselling, healthcare, welfare and referrals
· Childcare
· Cultural, recreational, social and sporting activities and events
· Clubs and societies
· Newspapers and magazines
· Meeting rooms
· Theatres and galleries
· Second hand textbooks
· Sporting equipment and facilities
· Safe communal environments
· Shuttle buses

The Government ignores the fact that the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) decision in 2003 that student organisations are a public benefit, not only to students, their welfare and universities but also to the communities in which they operate. The Government ignores the advice of the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee (AVCC), which is the peak body representing Vice-Chancellors, about the need for student organisations and the vacuum of services that would exist without them. The Government ignores the advice of the Australian Group of Eight (Go8), which represents Australia's most research intensive universities, about the need for student organisations and the cultural value they give to university campus life.

Of utmost concern is that student organisations will be unable to provide effective and independent advocacy and representation. Students will not have assistance with grievances with the strong possibility of existing student rights and conditions being compromised. Despite Government rhetoric of freedom of choice, which already exists, this legislation is about disempowering students, politically, academically and emotionally. The save.higher.ed collective views this legislation as a significant threat to students and their rights.

The Howard government only wants to destroy student organisations and vocal student dissent.

Do you support student organisations and their invaluable contribution to student life and well being? Yes?

JOIN THE ELECTRONIC SIT-IN