New CAPA Office-Bearers look forward to a challenging 2005

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Association's 2005 Office Bearers face a challenging year in 2005, representing Australia's 247,000 postgraduates to a government bent on destroying student representation.

"This will be a big year for postgraduate students and the postgraduate associations which represent them," said Stephen Horton who continues as CAPA President this year after a successful year as President in 2004.

"We expect the government to start running with their anti-student organisation legislation - so-called "voluntary student unionism' legislation“ as soon as they can; maybe even before they get their Senate majority in July.

"This will be a big challenge for students. So much is at stake here: representation on university governing bodies, assistance with disciplinary hearings, professional advice for students struggling with supervisory issues, legal aid, health care - all the many things student organisations do for their members."

"If the government stops universities from collecting student services fees, these services will disappear."