The Government's backflip on VSU reinforces the need for a universal student union fee, according to the Australian Democrats.
"The Government can not have it both ways: you can not support universal student union membership for international students but not for domestic students. This exposes their shallow ideology they will jettison their ideological agenda if it clashes with revenue-raising," Democrats' Higher Education Spokesperson Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said.
"This backflip proves the Government's original legislation was poorly drafted it even conflicted with a code of practice for universities requiring them to provide international students with certain services.
"The Government's position reveals a double standard. Its support for a universal fee for international students proves fears about the effect of VSU on student services and representation are well-founded.
"Even so, a universal fee for international students only will not be enough to keep many services afloat. The only way of ensuring these services survive and students are able to maintain a strong independent voice on campus is through universal student union membership.
"We have now seen backflips from the ALP and the Government on VSU.
"I can only hope that Senator Joyce's will is stronger on this issue than it was on Telstra, and he does not attempt to join the major parties' backflip circus," Senator Stott Despoja said.
