Student Unity

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Student Unity (also known as SU or simply Unity) is a factional grouping within the Australian National Union of Students (NUS). It is politically aligned towards the Right or Labor Unity faction of the Australian Labor Party, in contrast to the National Labor Students faction, which is aligned to the Left. [1] [2] Student Unity usually represents itself by means of a yin-yang logo, representing its position as the centre of the Australian political spectrum.

Contents

The faction views itself as being committed to both fiscal responsibility and lobbying for progressive causes, while its more left-wing opponents are critical of the faction's approach to social policy and view the faction as conservative and machinist.

Student Unity Policy

Aware of the financial collapse of NUS's forerunner, the Australian Union of Students, the faction's policy places particular emphasis on financial management and administration. The faction often votes against motions supporting issues that do not directly affect students or are felt to be too radical. Its belief is that the primary focus of the NUS should be issues directly relevant to students, and that pursuing advocacy on other, less student-specific causes would be an inappropriate use of NUS funds.

Student Unity policy is generally consistent with the policies of the Right faction of the Australian Labor Party, holding positions generally in favour of private education, free trade and private health coverage. [3] Among the Labor student factions it is the only faction to support HECS.[ citation needed ]

Like the Australian Labor Party, Student Unity utilises conscience voting on controversial debates such as abortion and reproductive rights, drug policies and other ethical issues. [4]

Critics of the faction argue that this leads to support of moral and social conservatism, but the faction argues that it allows the faction to unite moderate and progressive students under a single banner without splitting the faction on issues that are not critical to student services.

History

The faction formed in 1991, when David Feeney led members of the Labor Right to split with the Labor Left caucus, electing Pablo Campillos as NUS General Secretary, and refusing to back future Australian Democrats leader Natasha Stott Despoja for President of the Union. [5] [6]

Since then, Unity has become one of the biggest factions in NUS, with a presence in most Australian states and territories.

Until 2006, the faction had successfully retained the position of NUS National General Secretary every year since its inception, due to a 'sweetheart' deal with the former National Organisation of Labor Students caucus. At the 2006 Conference, the faction failed to obtain the position of General Secretary for the first time in its history, the position going to an independent. [7] [8]

However at the 2007 Conference, Student Unity produced a strong 33% of the national delegate vote and succeeded in electing a General Secretary, thus returning Student Unity to a significant role in NUS for the 2008.

List of NUS National Office Bearers from Student Unity

2011

2001 - 2010

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

1991 - 2000

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1994

1993

1992

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References

  1. ↑ Sharp, Ari (28 March 2006), "Another take on Labor's woes", ON LINE opinion, archived from the original on 1 June 2010, retrieved 16 February 2010
  2. ↑ O'Keefe, Brendan (22 November 2006), "Income cuts set stage for NUS row", The Australian
  3. ↑ Leigh, Andrew (November 2000). "Factions and Fractions: A Case Study of Power Politics in the Australian Labor Party". Australian Journal of Political Science. 35 (3). Routledge: 427–448. doi:10.1080/713649348 . Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  4. ↑ Warhurst, John (December 2008). "Conscience Voting in the Australian Federal Parliament". Australian Journal of Politics & History. 54 (4). University of Queensland and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd: 579–596. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8497.2008.00517.x. hdl: 1885/54395 .
  5. ↑ Bennett, David (8 August 2008), "Discord in the Democrats", Historical Current Affairs Analysis, archived from the original on 19 September 2008, retrieved 16 February 2010
  6. ↑ "3AW law and order quiz … student pollies list … grand final ratings …", Crikey , 4 October 2010, archived from the original on 13 October 2012, retrieved 25 October 2010
  7. ↑ Alexander, Harriet (12 December 2006), "Student union's lurch to the left delights the right", Sydney Morning Herald , archived from the original on 22 October 2012, retrieved 16 February 2010
  8. ↑ Cunich, Simon (13 January 2007), "Challenges ahead for student left", Green Left Weekly Online , archived from the original on 8 March 2010, retrieved 16 February 2010
  9. ↑ Gilmore, Heath (9 May 2009), "Overseas student group at centre of bullying claims", Sydney Morning Herald , archived from the original on 12 October 2009, retrieved 16 February 2010
  10. ↑ Chau, Wesa (5 May 2009), "Anxious students and community members protest to retain the Chinese language", Chinese Community Council of Australia (Vic), archived from the original on 25 July 2011, retrieved 16 February 2010
  11. ↑ Donati, Chaiy (30 January 2009), "National Small and Regional Campus Report" (PDF), NUS , archived (PDF) from the original on 29 September 2009, retrieved 16 February 2010
  12. ↑ Stubbs, Richard (12 June 2009), "Are we racist or are we just violent?", 774 ABC Melbourne , archived from the original on 18 June 2009, retrieved 16 February 2010
  13. ↑ Incerti, Matthew (12 January 2010), "Students' broad-brush approach paints wrong picture", Crikey , archived from the original on 13 October 2012, retrieved 16 February 2010
  14. ↑ Landeryou, Andrew (17 December 2007), "VICTORY: Ben Maxfield Axes Leftard NUS General Secretary After Financial Management Crisis", The Other Cheek: Andrew Landeryou's Blog of Freedom
  15. ↑ Alexander, Harriet (10 November 2006). "What do we want? A phone sponsorship deal". The Sydney Morning Herald . Sydney: John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd. p. 3. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  16. ↑ Bainbridge, Alex (7 February 1996), "Is NUS moving left?", Green Left Weekly Online
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