Howard/Nelson Push for Voluntary Student Unionism Has Desired Effect. (August 12, 2008)

If there had been any doubt that the introduction by the former Coalition government of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) would hobble Australian universities the interim report issued by the Department of Education ought to put it to rest, i.e. Mr Howard achieved his goal.

The report by the Department of Education found the impact of VSU on services and amenities in the country's universities has been largely negative, especially in small and regional campuses. It found small universities and regional campuses suffered the most because of a lack of amenities and services provided to students.

Angus McFarland from the National Union of Students (NSU) says it is time to establish a new system to protect student organisations: "VSU has had a devastating impact on campus life and culture, but also on essential support services that student organisations provide to help students while they're at uni. NUS is very unhappy with the contents of this report because it does back up our argument that VSU has not worked."

TFW would argue that VSU has accomplished exactly what Mr Howard and Dr Nelson had intended.

The vice-chancellor of the Australian University of Western Sydney, Professor Janice Reid, told the ABC that voluntary student unionism has been 'disastrous' and a new system is needed to fully support student services.

What the Bradley Review on Higher Education will recommend regarding VSU remains to be seen.