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VSU One Year On

A new report by the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) has established that, one year after implementation, voluntary student unionism (VSU) has resulted in a critical diminution of service delivery and significant loss of staff and representative capacity in postgraduate student organisations across university campuses.

Student Income Support Reform Urgently Needed

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes the release of The Australian University Student Finances 2006 final report, and supports the call on the part of Universities Australia for practical changes to student income support.

No Quick Fix On VSU

In a statement today, Nigel Palmer, National President of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA), sought to address some mis-conceptions following from recent media reports regarding VSU.

"I think it's naive to suggest that it could be possible to come up with some kind of 'quick fix' for a problem like VSU. VSU is what happens when you ram through legislation on some obscure ideological agenda irrespective of the consequences“ and the consequences have been huge.

Recognition of student need a positive step

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes announcements in the 2007-2008 Federal Budget that recognise some targeted areas of student need, particularly in the case of postgraduates, and hopes that these set the foundation for improvements in access to student income support and broader equity measures in the future.

"We welcome the will on the part of the Federal Government to at least recognise that there are in fact areas of genuine student need, and take steps to begin to address them" CAPA President, Nigel Palmer said.

Broad access to student income support fundamental

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes the inclusion of postgraduate and Indigenous students in the AVCC's student finances survey for the first time. This is significant, and the findings certainly help to illustrate the reality of what is going on “students are struggling to cope with living costs, debt, and study expenses, and are being forced to work more hours at the expense of their academic work" CAPA President, Nigel Palmer said.

More to be done to counter violence and intimidation

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) deplores the recent violent attacks against members of the international student community at the Ourimbah campus at the University of Newcastle.

CAPA President Nigel Palmer said "Intimidation and attacks like this on international students are just not acceptable- no way. International students here in Australia make a huge contribution, to our universities and to our communities. And this is the thanks they get? Attacks like this are utterly deplorable.

Priority for education, a positive start

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes the New Directions Paper for Australian education released by Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd and Shadow Minister for Education and Training, Stephen Smith.

Bishop turns to religion to fill VSU void

In recent speeches, Minister Bishop has been talking up what she sees as the many valuable aspects of university life including "the opportunity to learn about new sports, partake in drama and debating, sing in the choir, join the jazz band... the opportunity for employment on campus, whether paid or voluntary, and the gaining of essential employability skills for future years" and "strong attention to student welfare and pastoral care".

Unis to benefit from ALP Higher Ed reforms - room for improvement

The ALP white paper on higher education released today by the Federal Opposition offers the hope of financial relief for the sector. We particularly value the commitment to increased funding and adequate indexation. Combined with the previous undertaking to repeal the IR impositions, the future of universities and their staff and students can only be brighter.

Income support for postgraduate students

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations is encouraged by the recognition from vice-chancellors and the Minister for Education, Science and Training of the longstanding disparity in income support available to undergraduate and postgraduate university students. Unlike financially disadvantaged undergraduate students, postgraduate students in a similar situation are generally deemed ineligible for income support.