National Union of Students

MEDIA ALERT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


STUDENTS WANT GOVERNMENT INQUIRY TO SCRAP VSU IN 08


The National Union of Students today calls on the Federal Government to hasten the implementation of its VSU review so the devastating effects of the controversial Voluntary Student Unionism legislation can begin to be reversed by the end of the year.


"The National Union of Students certainly welcomes the Government's announcement of a review of VSU today. We are confident, however, that the review will confirm what we have been arguing since VSU was introduced - that VSU has destroyed vital student services, in particular welfare services, advocacy and representation," NUS National President Angus McFarland said.


"There's no question that VSU has to be scrapped entirely and replaced with a new system to protect the important work of student organisations," Mr McFarland said. "A new system really needs to be put into place before the 2009 enrollment process. We predict several student organisations will have to close this year alone if nothing is done urgently to fix this mess caused by former education Minister and new Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson."


The National Union of Students will be releasing its preferred model
for protecting student services and representation next week, as its
own internal consultation process concluded yesterday.


For further comment or information contact Angus McFarland on 0411 606 808