Nelson condemned by Minister and universities

23/8/05
Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich has applauded Western Australia's universities for condemning her Federal counterpart's push to re-introduce voluntary student unionism.
Ms Ravlich said the Federal Government's legislation would have a disastrous impact on universities and campus life.
"It will reduce the number of vital student services and financially cripple student guilds across the State," she said.
University leaders echoed Ms Ravlich's concerns, agreeing that Federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson's legislation was 'mean-spirited'.
Curtin University of Technology's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lance Twomey, said Curtin's guild provided a range of valuable services to students and staff, including study support, sporting facilities, food outlets and childcare.
"The proposed legislation will inevitably undermine the guild, both in terms of its representation of students and the services it provides, and this would impact negatively on students and campus life generally," Professor Twomey said.
Edith Cowan University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Millicent Poole, said she believed ECU would be the hardest hit in WA.
"We do not have the accumulated wealth or legacy of earlier investments like the longer-established universities, so when we are competing for the same students based on what services we are able to offer, we are going to be unfairly disadvantaged," Professor Poole said.
The introduction of voluntary student unionism in WA in the 1990s resulted in student guilds being severely undermined and services to students drastically reduced.
"It is not an experience we wish to repeat," Professor Twomey said.
Ms Ravlich said all universities were in favour of the current WA legislation, which required students to pay a services and amenities fee.
"While the fee must be paid by all students, it remains optional for students to be guild members," she said.
University of WA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said he did not want universities to become places where students simply went to get a degree.
"We want to give students access to cultural and sporting activities and facilities," Professor Robson said.
"We want students to become involved in university life by joining social clubs or competing in sporting events.
"These clubs help young adults to mature, allow them to learn organisational skills and develop a network of contacts.
"Leaving university with these skills is equally as important as leaving with a degree."
Ms Ravlich urged Mr Nelson to actually sit down and listen to what universities and student guilds were saying - not only in WA but also across Australia.
"It would be a tragedy if this legislation was passed," she said.
Minister's office: 9213 6800