The battle to ‘save New Zealand's student associations’ was kicked off with the Save our Services campaign launch in Wellington last week.
The NZUSA-driven Save our Services (SOS) campaign brings together a number of organisations that oppose Roger Douglas’ Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill.
The bill, known as the Voluntary Student Membership (VSM) Bill, would remove the option of compulsory membership of tertiary student associations. The current law allows a student body to hold a referendum to decide if they want voluntary or compulsory membership of their student association.
Save our Services spokesman and Auckland University Students Association (AUSA) administration Vice President Joe McCrory says the bill takes away the students' right to decide.
McCrory says VSM devastated student associations in Australia when it was brought into law in 2005.
He says that two major studies, conducted independent of student associations, showed the negative impact of VSM.
National President of the Tertiary Education Union Dr. Tom Ryan does not support the bill. “We believe the current law, which lets students decide for themselves, works well and is fair.”
Jacqualene Poutu, Tumuaki of Te Mana Akonga, National Maori Tertiary Students Association), raised concerns that the bill would exacerbate “existing equity barriers,” and would “fragment the small voice Maori students have.”
Green's Tertiary Education spokesperson Gareth Hughes says the bill will endanger essential student services.
Labour Tertiary Education spokesperson Maryan Street says the bill puts valuable services in jeopardy.
“Students Associations provide representation at the highest level of tertiary institutions, advocacy services and additional services and events which contribute to a good student
Save Our Services
