Lot's Wife Edition 1 2017

Unions Are Important: Analysing NUS
edition one
lot’s wife
The National Union of Students is the peak
representative body for undergraduate students
who are studying in an Australian university. Its
basic aims are to safeguard and progress the interests
of students. NUS was established in 1987, having
descended from the now-defunct Australian Union
of Students (AUS). NUS, via its website, asserts that
it seeks to achieve its noble aims by ‘by working with
campus-based student organisations, running actions
and campaigns, and making sure the voices of students
are heard by parliamentarians.’
The need for a national union that protects students
is pronounced in the current political and economic
environment. Universities are no longer public
institutions, but businesses that are run according
to the profit motive. In many cases this results in
universities around Australia subordinating the
tangible interests of students to the demand of profit
and capital. This is evident in the frequent course
restructurings taking place across Australia (the
University of Melbourne example being the most
infamous) and the reduction of funding for lecturers,
tutors and mental health services. Students are also not
immune from Federal government action, who only
recently attempted to introduce 100k degrees.
Annually, NUS holds a National Conference in
Victoria. Delegates are elected from around Australia
to vote on, and thereby determine the policy of the
union for the upcoming year. Some of the matters
voted on at the 2016 National Conference related to
opposing government cuts to welfare and universities,
as well as advocating for the introduction of sensible
drug policies. Many students also come to witness the
proceedings and debate policy about which they are
passionate.
The main factions are: Socialist Alternative,
Grassroots, National Labor Students, the Independents,
Student Unity and The Australian Liberal Students’
Federation. There are also independents who vote
individually.
Certainly, conference floor is fertile ground for debate.
Each faction has a particular perspective on the issues of
the day, and they are accordingly entitled to share this
with the supporters of the union. Thorough discussion
of these issues allows for each attendee to assume an
informed, considered personal position. For the most
part, this is a politically stimulating thing.
That isn’t to say that National Conference functions
perfectly. Sometimes speaker’s arguments can descend
into ad hominem statements, and factional hostilities
can get in the way of productive debates. For example,
there were a number of times where speaker’s were
shouted down from other factions, thereby stultifying
legitimate discussion. Moments such as these are
contrary to the objectives of a representative student
union.
However, it would be wrong to assume that this is a
defining characteristic of the union. Indeed, there were
times where other factions congratulated one another
on creating good policy. One of the more memorable
instances of cooperation came after lunch on the third
day of the Conference. Students in attendance divided
themselves into states, ready to discuss their plans for
the National Day of Action (NDA) in March. There were
many worthy contributions on how to ensure that the
day would be a success, and the spirit of collaboration
was palpable. It is with great anticipation that we wait
for the NDA, the aim of which is to promote discussion
about making university education free again.
NUS is a vital student body that was conceived to
protect the interests of now under-siege students. It
would be erroneous to expect that the members of
the union be in complete consensus on every issue.
But, a united and harmonious union is bound to be
most successful in pursuing the maintenance and
advancement of student rights.
article by nick bugeja
artwork by isabella toppi