National Union of Students (Australia)

The National Union of Students (NUS) is the peak representative body for Australian university students. Most student unions in Australian campuses are affiliated to NUS. A university is eligible by its classification as a legitimate training provider and the payment of Union fees by the university according to the number of full time study units of its students.

Contents

Delegates and factions

The operations of NUS are dominated by several different organised factions, often with close ties to the youth wings of Australian political parties. Current major factions at NUS include National Labor Students (Socialist Left), Student Unity (Labor Unity) and National Independents. There are additional minor groupings including the Australian Liberal Students' Federation (ALSF),and Socialist Alternative.

History

NUS in its current form came into being in 1987 after the collapse of its predecessor, the Australian Union of Students, in 1984. The AUS itself was known from 1937 to 1971 as the National Union of Australian University Students (NUAUS).[1]

NUS was formed at the same time that the Hawke government introduced the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (a system of deferred tuition payments), abolishing the free education system previously introduced by the Whitlam government.

NUS has had mixed success in its role as a lobby group and representative body. In particular, its limited finances have often meant that it has had difficulty making its presence felt on higher education issues. It was successful in the early 1990s in preventing the implementation of a deferred loan scheme in place of government student financial assistance, and in reducing the qualification age for student financial assistance.

NUS was unable to prevent the introduction of differential rates of HECS in 1996, but did lobby successfully to stop the introduction of a voucher system by then Federal Education Minister Dr. David Kemp despite later claiming victory in a similar campaign.

The union suffered another major setback in 2003 when despite intense lobbying of independent senators, the reform package of Dr. Brendan Nelson passed the Senate. This package permitted the introduction of Domestic Undergraduate Up-Front Fees (DUFF) by universities in addition to HECS places, and allowed universities to increase their HECS rates by 25%. Components of the legislation introducing VSU, and the mandatory offering of the Australian Workplace Agreement as a component of universities’ enterprise bargaining practices were dropped.

In 2003, NUS membership fees became indexed to consumer price index (CPI), removing some of the strain on the union’s finances but raising fears that many small and regional campus organisations might disaffiliate due to increases in affiliation fees.

Despite NUS having spent $255,307 to run an anti-government campaign in marginal electorates,[2] in the 2004 Australian elections the government returned to office with what looked to be effective control of the Senate.

National Structure

NUS' National structure is formalised into office bearers, committees, and departments.

Membership and organisation

NUS is composed of all affiliated student organisations, and is organised at both a National and a State level. Most university student organisations within the major cities are affiliated to NUS. Member organisations pay an annual fee which is indexed to the Consumer Price Index. Most, but not all, major institutions’ student bodies are affiliated to NUS.

Currently, the University of Queensland Union, the student representative body of the University of Queensland, a Group of Eight university, does not affiliate with the National Union of Students.

The supreme decision-making body of NUS nationally is the National Conference, held annually at La Trobe University (Victoria) in December. This conference is the central vehicle for policy debate and the election of national office bearers. Delegates are elected from all financial member organisations. The number of delegates and the number of votes held by delegates from a given campus is dependent on the EFTSU’s (Equivalent Full Time Study Units) of the campus. Smaller-scale annual conferences are also held at a state level to elect state office-bearers.

Queer (Queer Collaborations), Education, Women’s and Small & Regional conferences are also held annually to develop policy specific to those areas, (although the Women's conference, Nowsa, and Queer collaborations are only slightly connected to NUS).

National office bearers

The NUS national office bearers for 2012 are:

The first five of these positions are full-time. The Indigenous, international students and Queer Officer positions are part-time. All positions are elected annually at NUS National Conference, with terms commencing in January.

The National Women's Officer must live and identify as a woman, as must one of the National Queer Officers.[1]

National Executive

National Executive consists of the national office-bearers, the International Students' convenor, the presidents of each of the state branches, and twelve general executive members. Of these, only the general executive members and the state presidents have votes. The national president acts as chair and has a casting vote in the event of ties. The National Executive meets face to face twice a year, with further meetings conducted via teleconference. It is responsible for administering the union, subject to decisions of National Conference, and authorising the national budget.

Past National Office bearers

President
Term Name University Faction
1987 from July Roger Cook Murdoch University National Organisation of Labor Students
1988 Tracey Ellery Victoria College - Rusden Campus National Organisation of Labor Students
1989 Lisa Neville Griffith University National Organisation of Labor Students
1990 Kate Deverell Monash University National Organisation of Labor Students
1991 Brigid Freeman University of Tasmania National Organisation of Labor Students
1992 Tony White Warrnambool Institute Of Advanced Education National Organisation of Labor Students
1993 Ken Fowlie University of New South Wales National Organisation of Labor Students
1994 Penny Sharpe University of New South Wales National Organisation of Labor Students
1995 John Graham University of Sydney National Organisation of Labor Students
1996 Lori Faraone Edith Cowan University National Organisation of Labor Students
1997 John Carey Murdoch University National Organisation of Labor Students
1998 Rose Tracey University of Sydney National Organisation of Labor Students
1999 Jacob Varghese University of Melbourne National Organisation of Labor Students
2000 Lisa Johnstone University of South Australia National Organisation of Labor Students
2001 David Henderson University of Melbourne National Organisation of Labor Students
2002 Moksha Watts University of Sydney National Organisation of Labor Students
2003 Daniel Kyriacou University of Sydney National Organisation of Labor Students
2004 Jodie Jansen Queensland University of Technology National Organisation of Labor Students
2005 Felix Eldridge University of Sydney National Organisation of Labor Students
2006 Rose Jackson University of Sydney National Organisation of Labor Students/National Labor Students
2007 Michael Nguyen University of Technology, Sydney National Labor Students
2008 Angus McFarland University of Sydney National Labor Students
2009 David Barrow University of Technology, Sydney National Labor Students
2010 Carla Drakeford University of Melbourne National Labor Students
2011 Jesse Marshall La Trobe University National Labor Students
2012 Donherra Walmsley University of Sydney National Labor Students
General Secretary
Term Name University Faction
1988 Lisa Neville Griffith University National Organisation of Labor Students
1989 Richard Marles University of Melbourne National Organisation of Labor Students
1990 Andrew Wooldridge University of Tasmania Independents
1991 Nicole Asquith University of Melbourne Left Alliance
1992 Pablo Campillos Curtin University Student Unity
1993 Simon Hoffman University of Western Australia Student Unity
1994 Wendy Haydon James Cook University Student Unity
1995 Michael Gadiel University of Sydney Student Unity
1996 Roland Stephens University of Sydney Student Unity
1997 Chris Burrell Australian Maritime College Student Unity
1998 Erica Martin Murdoch University Student Unity
1999 Gilbert Astorga University of Tasmania - Hobart Student Unity
2000 Simon Lees University of Sydney Student Unity
2001 Lizzie Blandthorn University of Melbourne Student Unity
2002 Dave Hughes University of New South Wales Student Unity
2003 Michael Comninos University of Sydney Student Unity
2004 Daniel Mookhey University of Technology, Sydney Student Unity
2005 Sacha Fenton University of Queensland Student Unity
2006 Michael de Bruyn University of Melbourne Student Unity
2007 Mathew Chuk University of Western Australia Independents
2008 Ben Maxfield Monash University (Berwick) Student Unity
2009 David Wilkins University of Adelaide Student Unity
2010 Xavier Williams La Trobe University Student Unity
2011 Patrick Sheehan La Trobe University Student Unity
2012 Jon Barlow Victoria University Student Unity
Education Officer
Term Name University Faction
1988 Kiri Evans University of Sydney Left Alliance
1989 Damien Smith University of Sydney National Organisation of Labor Students
1990 Damien Smith University of Sydney National Organisation of Labor Students
1991 David Howard (died in office) Queensland University of Technology National Organisation of Labor Students, then Student Unity
1992 Rob Houghton Flinders University Left Alliance
1993 Toby Borgeest University of Melbourne Left Alliance
1994 Tim Lyons University of Tasmania - Hobart Student Unity
1995 Melanie Wheeler University of Adelaide Independents
1996 David Taylor Monash University - Clayton Non-Aligned Left
1997 Jackie Lynch La Trobe University Left Alliance
1998 Katrina Curry University of Sydney Left Alliance
1999 Evelyn Loh Charles Darwin University Independents
2000 Charlie Heuston Flinders University Student Unity
2001 Kate Davison University of Melbourne National Broad Left
2002 Camille Barbagallo Griffith University National Broad Left
2003 Liz Thompson Monash University - Clayton National Broad Left
2004 Paul Coats University of Melbourne/Charles Darwin University National Broad Left/Socialist Alternative
2005 Rebecca Barrigos University of Melbourne National Broad Left/Socialist Alternative
2006 Louise O'Shea University of Melbourne/University of Sydney Socialist Alternative
2007 Colleen Bolger Monash University - Clayton Socialist Alternative
2008 Lucy Saunders University of Sydney National Labor Students
2009 Stefie Hinchy University of Queensland National Labor Students
2010 James Butchers University of Queensland National Labor Students
2011 Rachael Durrant University of Technology, Sydney National Labor Students
2012 Rosa Sottile University of Queensland National Labor Students
Welfare Officer (entitled "Welfare/Small and Regional Officer" from 1996 to 2006)
Term Name University Faction
1988 Evan Thornley University of Melbourne National Organisation of Labor Students
1989 Andrew Wooldridge University of Tasmania Independents
1990 David McConnen University of South Australia Independents
1991
1992 Linda Whatman University of Newcastle National Organisation of Labor Students
1993 Linda Whatman University of Newcastle National Organisation of Labor Students
1994 Edwina Hanlon Monash University - Clayton National Organisation of Labor Students
1995 Elizabeth Humphrys University of Melbourne Non-Aligned Left
1996 Michelle Giglio Independents
1997 Zane Whitehorn Charles Darwin University Independents
1998 Lisa Ronnenberg University of Newcastle Non-Aligned Left
1999 Tom Cargill Flinders University Student Unity
2000 Nathan Murphy La Trobe University Australian Labor Students
2001 Rachel Thomson University of Tasmania - Hobart Student Unity
2002 Jill Ferguson Curtin University Australian Labor Students
2003 Sarah McDowell Monash University - Clayton Australian Labor Students
2004 Lambros Tapinos Victoria University Student Unity
2005 Katana Smith Flinders University Student Unity
2006 Kate Perry Queensland University of Technology National Organisation of Labor Students/National Labor Students
2007 Joshua Rayner University of Adelaide Student Unity
2008 Liz Larbalestier University of Wollongong Student Unity
2009 Jimmy Mentor Monash University Student Unity
2010 Patrick Sheehan (until March) La Trobe University Student Unity
Michael Buckland (from March) University of Sydney Student Unity
2011 Chris Monnox University of Wollongong Student Unity
2012 Rogan McMahon-Hogan University of Canberra Student Unity
Women's Officer
Term Name University Faction
1988 Emma Koorey University of Sydney Left Alliance
1989 Miranda Sandars University of Melbourne Left Alliance
1990 Brigid Freeman University of Tasmania National Organisation of Labor Students
1991 Audrey Edwards Southern Cross University
1992
1993 Misha Schubert University of South Australia Independents
1994 Kate Wait University of South Australia National Organisation of Labor Students
1995 Michelle MacDonald La Trobe University Student Unity
1996 Sarah Lantz Southern Cross - Lismore Non-Aligned Left
1997 Gemma Pinnell Monash University - Clayton Non-Aligned Left, then Left Alliance
1998 Amrita Dasvarma University of Adelaide Independents
1999 Genevieve Derwent University of Technology, Sydney Left Alliance, then National Broad Left
2000 Helen Stitt Australian National University Independents
2001 Sarah McBratney University of Queensland National Organisation of Labor Students
2002 Catherine Davis Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Australian Labor Students
2003 Lisa Chesters University of Queensland National Organisation of Labor Students
2004 Laura Fraser Murdoch University Independent, then National Organisation of Labor Students
2005 Alison Vaughan Edith Cowan University Australian Labor Students
2006 Sarah Wickham La Trobe University Australian Labor Students/National Labor Students
2007 Lucy Honan University of Sydney Grassroots Left
2008 Claire Tatyzo Flinders University Grassroots Left
2009 Kaitlin Ferris University of Melbourne National Labor Students
2010 Keelia Fitzpatrick University of Western Australia Independents
2011 Courtney Sloane Australian National University National Labor Students
2012 Noni Sproule University of Melbourne National Labor Students
Ethnocultural Officer
Term Name University Faction
2007 Jamila Rizvi (until February) Australian National University Student Unity
Fatma Al Mahrizi (from February) University of Melbourne Socialist Alternative
2008 Phoung Au University of New South Wales National Labor Students
2009 Matthew Incerti University of Melbourne Student Unity
2010 Lauren Fernando Victoria University Student Unity
2011 Gen Li (until February) Monash University - Caulfield Student Unity
Mildred Linmiao Zhan (from February) La Trobe University Student Unity
2012 Patrick Massarani University of Sydney Student Unity
International Students' Officer
Term Name University Faction
2010 Lily Yuen La Trobe University Unaligned
2011 Indrajeet Chauhan La Trobe University National Labor Students
2012
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students' Officer (entitled "Indigenous Officer" from 2007 to 2011)
Term Name University Faction
2007 Sheena Watt National Labor Students
2008 Sheena Watt National Labor Students
2009 Carla McGrath University of Sydney National Labor Students
2010 Warren Roberts University of New South Wales National Labor Students
2011 Frank Gafa Australian National University National Labor Students
2012 Benjamin Gertz James Cook University - Townsville Student Unity
Queer Officers (Established 2001)
Term Name University Faction
2001 Mark Pendleton Griffith University National Broad Left
Melissa Venville La Trobe University National Organisation of Labor Students, then National Broad Left
2002 Brent Haywood University of Canberra Independents
Emma Banyer University of Sydney National Broad Left
2003 Belinda Clark Curtin University Student Unity
Rathana Chea University of Technology, Sydney National Broad Left
2004 Tallace Bissett University of Melbourne National Broad Left
Jenelle Davy Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Independents
2005 Claire English Griffith University National Broad Left, then Grassroots Left
Craig Comrie University of Western Australia National Organisation of Labor Students
2006 Rachel Evans University of Technology, Sydney Grassroots Left
Norman Jacka Curtin University Australian Labor Students/National Labor Students
2007 Hayley Conway University of Wollongong Grassroots Left
Pete Johnson University of Sydney National Labor Students
2008 Bree Ahrens University of Melbourne Grassroots Left
James Vigus La Trobe University Socialist Alternative
2009 Heidi Claus University of Sydney Socialist Alternative
Liam Byrne University of Melbourne Socialist Alternative
2010 Phoebe Kelloway University of Melbourne Socialist Alternative
Kathleen Larkin La Trobe University Socialist Alternative
2011 Olivia Hopkins University of Sydney Student Unity
Jade Eckhaus University of Melbourne Socialist Alternative
2012 Shaylee Leach University of South Australia Student Unity
Kat Henderson Queensland University of Technology Socialist Alternative
Small and Regional Officer
Term Name University Faction
1990 Kathleen Riches Warrnambool IAE National Organisation of Labor Students
1991 Tony White Warrnambool IAE National Organisation of Labor Students
1992 Jacqui Davidson Northern Territory University National Organisation of Labor Students
1994 Eugene Sebastian Flinders University of South Australia National Liaison Committee
1995 Shanton Chang University of Western Australia National Liaison Committee
2007 Kobie Howe University of Canberra National Labor Students
2008 Grant Machell Monash University (Berwick) Student Unity
2009 Chaiy Donati University of Queensland Student Unity
2010 James Wangmann University of South Australia Student Unity
2011 Billy Colless James Cook University - Cairns National Labor Students
2012 Jessica Newman James Cook University - Cairns National Labor Students
Environment Officer (Established 1994)
Term Name University Faction
1994 Jamie Parker Macquarie University Non-Aligned Left
1995 Kirstin O'Brien James Cook University Non-Aligned Left, then Left Alliance
1996 Gretchen Highfield University of Technology, Sydney Non-Aligned Left
1997 Matt Fagan Southern Cross - Lismore Non-Aligned Left, then Left Alliance
1998 Chris Heppel Macquarie University Non-Aligned Left
1999 Scott Alderson University of Queensland Non-Aligned Left
2000 Mat Hines University of Tasmania - Hobart Progressive Left Activist Network (PLANet)
2001 Peter Zakzrewski UNSW College of Fine Arts Australian Democrats
2002 Matt Skellern University of Sydney National Broad Left
2003 Bonnie Rivendell La Trobe University National Broad Left
Eli Greig Monash University - Clayton National Broad Left
2004 Bek Hamed Australian National University Independents
2005 Anna Rose University of Sydney National Broad Left, then Grassroots Left
2006 Danya Bryx Monash University - Clayton Australian Student Environment Network
2007 Claire McCall Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Australian Student Environment Network
2008 Cecilia Vagg University of Technology, Sydney Australian Student Environment Network
2009 Dany Boulos University of Newcastle Australian Student Environment Network
2010 Hugh Mortensen Swinburne University Student Unity
2011 Christian Jones (until February) University of Sydney Student Unity
Shaun Taliana (from February) Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Student Unity
2012 Neha Madhok University of Technology, Sydney National Labor Students

State offices

Mirroring the National Structure, each State Branch has a number of office bearers.

New South Wales

Victoria

Queensland

Western Australia

South Australia

Australian Capital Territory

Campus Unions in Australia
Student councils in Australia
Monash
National student unions in Australia
See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.unistudent.com.au/site/?option=com_content&task=view&id=220&Itemid=1
  2. ^ "Where art thou, Brethren?". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 January 2007. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/01/19/1169095977274.html. 

External links

Campus Unions in Australia
Student councils in Australia
Monash
National student unions in Australia
See also