22 December 1998
Government Must Avoid Throwing Baby Out With the Bath-Water on Student Unions
Australia's Vice-Chancellors have urged the Government to be cautious in its plans to
make student unions voluntary, saying that the Government ran the risk of seriously
undermining the capacity of student associations to provide many important services to
students.
President of the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee, Professor John Niland, said
that while he knew of the Government's desire to avoid the situation where students were
contributing to political activities which they may not support, he said that it was
important to keep the matter in perspective.
"The important consideration, surely, is not whether they engage in political
activities but whether student organisations are democratic and accountable, and that
there is scope for genuine conscientious objection to contributing to particular political
activities.
"Student associations are highly effective organisations for running services for
the benefit of students. If the Government's legislation undermines the funding base of
those organisations, it will mean that many of the services which they provide will no
longer be provided on campuses and this will have a very negative effect on the quality of
student life."
Professor Niland said that with the tight fiscal situation universities faced, it is
not possible for universities to take over the running of these services.
"The Government needs to temper its commitment to voluntarism, to ensure that
effective support services are not undermined. It’s a case of ensuring the baby
doesn't go out with the bath-water"
Media Inquiries: Greg Ellis 02 6285 8206 0417 263 381
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