The ALPs decision to maintain so called Voluntary Student Unionism will expose Australias most vulnerable students and ensures university life is changed irrevocably for the worse, according to the Australian Democrats.
"The ALPs decision not to reverse VSU is political pragmatism and students are the real losers as a result," Democrats Higher Education Spokesperson Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said.
"VSU is a flawed policy which harms those who can least afford it: poorer students and those in regional and rural areas with limited access to the services once provided by student associations.
"VSU has ripped the heart out of many campuses through the abolition of traditions such as campus newspapers, a reduction in sporting facilities, and of course the removal of subsidised health, welfare and advocacy services that were provided pre-VSU.
"The Democrats have been long-concerned that the Labor Party would back down on their original opposition to VSU, especially after reading their higher education White Paper last year.
"Many students and university administrations were relying on the Labor Party to restore vital services and representation on university campuses.
"In the past, the Australian Democrats have ensured that students and universities that lost out as a result of State-based VSU (previously Victoria and Western Australia) were assisted through the State Grants process. The ALP in Government moved changes to the Higher Education Funding Act 1992 and the States Grants (General Purposes) Act (No. 92 of 1993) to deduct effectively from that States' entitlement and pay the money directly to the affected institution.
"The Democrats remain committed to restoring these vital aspects of campus life and will continue to campaign to reverse VSU," Senator Stott Despoja said.
