Postgraduates welcome repeal of so-called VSU legislation

CAPA has welcomed the Victorian government's introduction of a bill to repeal so-called Voluntary Student Unionism, which the former Coalition government enacted in 1994.

CAPA President, Bradley Smith, said, "VSU is an undemocratic and unacceptable intrusion into university affairs."

"The current legislation bans funding of elections and political debate in student publications. That is, it is a legislation that is fundamentally hostile to democratic representation."

"Student representation is an essential component of the ethos of universities and informed debate in our community. It is educational in the broadest sense."

Mr Smith said, "The VSU legislation has enforced constraints on students' capacity to provide democratic, informed and well researched representation. As such VSU is an unacceptable constraint on the university community".

Mr Smith called on all independent, liberal and national members to support the repeal bill as a demonstration of their commitment to democratic representation.

"The damage to the ethos of universities by VSU legislation was well recognized last year in the national arena with a broad coalition of students, Vice-chancellors, academics, community leaders and a number of national and liberal party members expressing considerable concern at Minister Kemp's attempts to introduce VSU nationally."

Mr Smith also called on the Western Australian Government to repeal its draconian VSU legislation. The second reading of the bill will occur today.