I agree mostly with your proposal for the most part Rob, but I think that a few bits of it are unworkable. The ‘floor’ of a minimum of 50% is a very important part of the current WA legislation… It ensures that the majority of student money paid in the form of Amenities fees, is *STUDENT CONTROLLED* this is a fundamental plank in the whole notion of universal student unionism. Otherwise its not universal student unionism, its universal payment of money to ‘university admin crap art comissioning fund’ The majority of any money contributed by students must always be controlled by elected student representatives.

Also, with legislating the fee to be paid…. This is SOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo cumbersome and badness. If you had to change the fee via an act of parliament everytime you wanted to raise it according to CPI, or lower it for some reason, then it would be almost impossible to do so.

All of this however, is hinged on the idea that student organisations are transparent, accountable, and law abiding. Unfortunaltely, the actions of a few (edith cowan, maquarie, and melbourne uni student unions) have tainted the reputation of the many many, excellent student organisations out there.

Just my 2 cents.

PS And Mr Alex White, if you think that all student unions are about is to provide services that would otherwise have to be provided by the university, you dont belong in the Australian Labor Students.

Student Unions are about representing the interests of students,and fighting for student rights both within the university environment (ie on uni council, university boards and committees etc) and the broader community. This includes things such as lobbying for a fair student living allowance, and working for a fair, equitable and accessable education system in Australia, making sure that women students that are more than likely on a limted wage can access abortion if they require it, and all the other bizillions of things that student unions do. Political activities of student unions, and service provision cant be separated, they are both equally importmant. But im sure you know all that, right Alex????

At Melbourne University, less than one third of funding goes towards representation– which specifically means funding for union departments. Most of that funding goes towards student grants, clubs and societies, or the activities department.

A small amount of money funds the political activities of the office bearers, such as Queer, Women’s, Welfare or Education; part of this (an extremely small part at most unions) goes towards honorariums for office bearers.

An argument could be made that payment should not be made for these political activities. However, like student services, all students benefit from the representation (such as better conditions and rights won by student reps on university committees or councils), whether they are aware of it (or take it up) or not.

Robert, as a Leftie, it is understandable that you’d be annoyed about this but there is no justification for forcing people to fund left wing (or even right wing) organisations for any reason. In the eyes of supporters of compulsory unionism there is no right for people to have the choice. I don’t know how many people here will comprehend this but alot of people visit universities to get an education. Those who dress like dishevelled rats and behave like bloody fools at student rallies, often breaking more laws than they care to think about, seem to be, thankfully, becoming more of a minority.

If it isn’t state Labor governments putting TAFE education out of reach by raising fees at hundreds of times the CPI then it is The Left continuing to wave the flag for the unreasonable restriction of compulsory unionism. It’s time to put the Southern Cross out to pasture mate :-)

It’s about time we did see the end of our funds going to pay for people to attend NUS, NOWSA or whatever.

People can pay to attend them out of their own funds.

Because if Labor & the student movement just rant and block this bill until July 1, then the government will laugh and pass it in full as harsh as they like.

If they get a deal that looks decent publicly, then there is a chance that the agreement will stay and student councils can remain.

The ALP either deal now to lessen the burden but keep the basics or lose it all in one swoop in july.