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Media ReleaseVOLUNTARY STUDENT UNION LEGISLATION INTRODUCED K1503 11 March 1999 The Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Dr David Kemp has introduced to the House of Representatives the Higher Education Legislation Amendment Bill 1999 to establish voluntary student unionism on Australian university campuses. "This legislation is all about choice. All Australians, including students at universities, should be allowed to choose whether they want to join a union or not," said Dr Kemp. Currently there are 600,000 students attending Australian universities who are required to join a student union or association as a prerequisite for enrolment. Most do not want to be forced to join a union or association and should be permitted to have the same freedom of association that they enjoy off campus. "A lot of students feel that the services universities provide don’t really meet their needs. If universities have got to work to get the last dollar from the last student then they are going to be providing a whole range services that presently are not provided on campuses," said Dr Kemp. "Students who value the services that are currently offered by student unions will still be able to contribute their money, but that will now be their choice rather than their obligation. "Most students are working part-time jobs or are on small incomes. Why should these people on low incomes be forced to pay up to $360 a year for services that many don’t want or use. Voluntary student unionism will put more than $100 million collected each year in student union fees, back into the pockets of the students," said Dr Kemp. The Labor party opposition to the Federal Government’s plan to impose voluntary student unionism shows they are happy to see the rights of freedom of association violated on university campuses around Australia.
For further information: Samantha Herron 0412 639 754 or 02 6277 7460
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