Save Student Organisations

We, the undersigned, support the Rudd Government's proposal to introduce a compulsary university student fee, capped at $250, from 1 July 2009.

This fee will ensure the long term sustainability of vital student services such as counselling, health, employment, child care and welfare support at Australian universities.

We urge the Senate to recognise the role of student organisations in providing these essential services and rather than allowing University administrations to collect and distribute such funding, we ask that the money from this fee be passed directly on to the student organisation at each University. This will ensure that student money is spent by democratic representatives who are best placed to fulfil the needs of their constituents.

We, the undersigned, also call on the Senate to not place any restrictions on the use of such funds for political organising. Student organising is an inherently political process, as is any body or group that works collectively to serve others. To restrict the ability of student organisations to be critical, or even involved, in political processes whether this be on a campus, local, state or national level - would strip them of their ability to provide true advocacy and support for the students they represent.

Furthermore, we insist that this legislation address the issue of membership of student organisations through an opt-out, rather than an opt-in, system.