Sunday, November 14, 2004

FUNDING CUT OFF FOR CAMPUS LEFTISTS

Australia has for many years had compulsory membership of student unions for all university students. The unions are however often used to promote far-Left politics

Federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson has supported a new model for student unions that funds services but not political campaigns on campus. Dr Nelson indicated yesterday he was prepared to compromise on legislation to ban compulsory student unionism, but pledged to push ahead with plans to force universities to offer academics individual contracts.

The compromise plan, outlined by the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee in documents obtained by The Australian, would allow unions to charge students a compulsory fee but prevent the money being used to fund political activities. The vice-chancellors fear making union fees voluntary would leave them responsible for providing the cafeterias, sports clubs and welfare services now operated by students.

"No student should be forced to pay a fee that supports any kind of political organisation or quasi-social organisation," Dr Nelson told ABC radio. "What I am quite interested in doing is seeing that we nonetheless have some sort of fee that supports a defined and limited list of essential student services on campus."

The National Union of Students will hold talks in Canberra later this month with peak university groups including the AVCC, the Group of Six research-intensive universities, the Australian Technology Network and the National Tertiary Education Union. In a letter to universities, NUS president Jodie Jansen said students were worried about the Howard Government's student union bill in its "current form". "The bill takes away the ability of universities to charge compulsory fees for services that are not for the provision of the course," she said. "The passing of such a bill would impact not only on student unions but also many university building funds and university sports associations that are not run by students."

More here

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For greatest efficiency, lowest cost and maximum choice, ALL schools should be privately owned and run -- with government-paid vouchers for the poor and minimal regulation.

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