Students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and regional and rural communities will be the biggest losers under so-called voluntary student unionism (VSU), according to a Senate inquiry.
The Senate inquiry into the Government's legislation to ban universal student union fees, which reported to Parliament today, found that students who rely on support services such as childcare and counselling will be among the most disadvantaged under VSU.
"Many poorer students will be unable to afford the full cost of services currently subsidised by student organisations," Democrats' Higher Education Spokesperson Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, signatory to the opposition Senators' report, said.
"The Committee heard that numerous students who currently use university childcare services, for example, would be unable to continue their studies without access to subsidised childcare.
"Regional students, universities and communities will also be greatly disadvantaged by this legislation. In some regional and rural areas, student organisations provide services to the community that would not otherwise be provided.
"The committee heard that in some regional areas, such as Armidale, these services are a 'cornerstone of the local economy' and that the university as a whole 'acts as a resource for the community'.
"In addition to the many services student organisations provide, they also play a key role in protecting students' academic and social rights. It is essential student organisations are able to maintain this independent voice.
"The loss of representation and advocacy services will further disadvantage those students who are least able to advocate for themselves.
"I hope those MPs attempting to forge a deal on this legislation bear in mind the diverse and crucial roles student organisations play in university life," Senator Stott Despoja said.
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