PUT COMMUNITIES FIRST

Act now to block the VSU bill

In the next two weeks the Howard Government wants to pass a law that will drastically cut services on university campuses around the country -- services used by the whole community, like childcare, health services and sporting facilities.

It's not too late to take action. Some Howard Government members are mounting a last minute effort to block the voluntary student unionism (VSU) bill before it becomes law. These MPs need to know they are not alone.

Sign the letter of support to ask these parliamentarians to stay strong and block this bill. To back up the letter GetUp has also produced a television ad asking MPs to vote against this radical bill. This ad is already on air in Lismore and Townsville.

Sign the letter now! We have 10 signatures.

Dear: Greg Hunt MP, Ian Causley MP, Kay Hull MP, Paul Neville MP, Peter Lindsay MP, Senator Alan Eggleston, Senator Barnaby Joyce, Senator Fiona Nash, Senator Nigel Scullion and Senator Russell Trood

The Government's VSU bill will attack services in local communities across the country. We urge you to stay strong and block this bill. Thousands of Australians are behind you.

Photo: Australian Greens

Voluntary student unionism: SA UTS

What Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) basically means is that students will have the choice about whether they pay their membership to the Students Association. The rhetoric behind this argument is based in some ideal of choice, where the Liberal Government argues that students should exercise their freedom of association and therefore should be able to have the right to choose whether they want to join the student organisation on campus.

This rhetoric of freedom of choice is a farce as a university that does not have equitable access or sufficient resources effectively decrease students' choices. The Students Association is the only space on campus where students can defend their rights independently of the whims of the university management. Having such an organisation provides students with choices, as without this we would not have the ability fight for campus conditions and regressive government policies, which directly inhibit students ability to access higher education and other social "privileges".

What would life be with VSU?

If students had the choice over whether or not to join, student organisations would be dramatically under-funded and the kind of work that we are able to do know, like provide an active voice for students to voice their dissent, would be obsolete. The fact is, the small membership fee, in practical terms, is nothing compared to what you would be paying to the university administration if student organisations did not exist. Through the Students Association, students ran a campaign against the proposal of UTS management to introduce upfront fees for undergraduate students. Students won the campaign, with management forced to back down with a student occupation. Through the Students Association, women, queer and ethno-cultural students are provided with a space through which they can fight the discrimination they face through society.

It may seem that having choice about your membership of a Student's Association is a good thing but in reality, having voluntary membership actually inhibits the choices of others, including access to university and the quality of education we receive.

Without student organisations to actively fight government attacks on higher education, students, and the community, would not be able to resource a voice of dissent against regressive policies. All government funding cuts to universities would proceed with hardly any dissent. The privatisation of university, while existing very concretely today, would be in full bloom. Universities would probably be more heavily privatised. This is not to say that such phenomenon does not exist widely today, but the deterioration of government funded education would be occurring probably more quickly and broadly, and worse still, without no dissent being voiced about it.

Further, student organisations do not exist in a vacuum, just as the funding cuts do not occur in a vacuum. While we fight for real gains on a campus level, we also understand that cuts to campus occur concurrently to cuts to other social sectors as health, and women's organisations. Fighting for gains on the campus level always occurs with an understanding of the regressive policies that are part of the wider ideology of the Liberal Government. Therefore, when we argue for a better quality education we also argue for an end to sexual harassment on and off campus, for the rights of indigenous people and the rights of queer people. Discrimination that occurs off campus also occurs on campus, as UTS is not an institution existing in isolation from the rest of society.

The Students Association is more than an active and open organisation that fights for campus conditions. Further, it is the only independent space on campus that can act as a student voice. For example, academic appeals are an important function of the Students Association whereby we try to fight for students' rights in their degrees.

How do you get involved in the Students' Association?

Having an active Students Association on campus, with maximum involvement of all students means that we can grow stronger and make real gains at a campus and societal level. Getting involved is easy, you can come along to a collective meeting, or drop by in the office and say hi.

''Voluntary Student Unionism''

As university students across Australia begin classes this week, they will find out that practically everything at university other than their lectures may not exist by the end of the year. From academic advocacy and support, childcare and health services, to food outlets and sporting teams, university life as we know it is under threat.

The Greens Position:

The Greens believe a responsible government should foster a strong, vibrant, top-quality public education system that is fee free from preschool to university.

Public Education

Now that the Howard government has been re-elected, we must all do what we can do oppose attacks on public education and higher education.

Kerry has spoken frequently in parliament defending public schools and universities.

The Greens

GetUp!
Action for Australia

So you better:

Get up, stand up! (in the morning! git it up!) Stand up for your rights! (stand up for our rights!) Get up, stand up! Don't give up the fight! (don't give it up, don't give it up!) Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up!) Stand up for your rights! (get up, stand up!)
Get up, stand up! ( ... ) Don't give up the fight!
(get up, stand up!) Get up, stand up! ( ... )
Stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up! Don't give up the fight!

Related Audio:



By GetUp! 24 August 2005

Senate Inquiry into Mental Health 2005

Terms of reference:

(The Select Committee on Mental Health is calling for submissions, which should be with the Committee by Thursday 28 April 2005.)

A select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on Mental Health, was appointed on 8 March 2005, to inquire into and report by 6 October 2005, on the provision of mental health services in Australia.

With particular reference to: the extent to which the National Mental Health Strategy, the resources committed to it and the division of responsibility for policy and funding between all levels of government have achieved its aims and objectives, and the barriers to progress; the adequacy of various modes of care for people with a mental illness, in particular, prevention, early intervention, acute care, community care, after hours crisis services and respite care; opportunities for improving coordination and delivery of funding and services at all levels of government.

To ensure appropriate and comprehensive care is provided throughout the episode of care; the appropriate role of the private and non-government sectors; the extent to which unmet need in supported accommodation, employment, family and social support services, is a barrier to better mental health outcomes; the special needs of groups such as children, adolescents, the aged, Indigenous Australians, the socially and geographically isolated.

And of people with complex and co-morbid conditions and drug and alcohol dependence; the role and adequacy of training and support for primary carers in the treatment, recovery and support of people with a mental illness; the role of primary health care in promotion, prevention, early detection and chronic care management; opportunities for reducing the effects of iatrogenesis and promoting recovery-focussed care through consumer involvement, peer support and education of the mental health workforce, and for services to be consumer-operated;

THE OVERREPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND IN CUSTODY, THE EXTENT TO WHICH THESE ENVIRONMENTS GIVE RISE TO MENTAL ILLNESS, THE ADEQUACY OF LEGISLATION AND PROCESSES IN PROTECTING THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE USE OF DIVERSION PROGRAMS FOR SUCH PEOPLE;

The practice of detention and seclusion within mental health facilities and the extent to which it is compatible with human rights instruments, humane treatment and care standards, and proven practice in promoting engagement and minimising treatment refusal and coercion; the adequacy of education in de-stigmatising mental illness and disorders and in providing support service information to people affected by mental illness and their families and carers; the proficiency and accountability of agencies, such as housing, employment, law enforcement and general health services, in dealing appropriately with people affected by mental illness.

The current state of mental health research, the adequacy of its funding and the extent to which best practice is disseminated, the adequacy of data collection, outcome measures and quality control for monitoring and evaluating mental health services at all levels of government and opportunities to link funding with compliance with national standards; and the potential for new modes of delivery of mental health care, including e-technology.

The recently announced senate inquiry on mental health includes a reference about prisoners'.

By Ann Wansbrough posted 24 March 05

(Rev.Dr.) Ann Wansbrough
Senior Policy Analyst
UnitingCare NSW.ACT
PO Box A 2178
Sydney South NSW 1235
Phone 8267 4280 Fax 9283 5658

Related:

LUNATICS RUNNING THE ASYLUM
On September 2nd, 2005, the Gold Coast Institute of Mental Health will be holding the 6th International Mental Health Conference at Conrad Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast. Its theme will be "What's new in mood disorders?"

The 6th International Mental Health Conference
Papers which address the themes of the conference are especially welcome, although other papers will be considered...

Mental Health Tribunal recommendations on forensic inmates
Below is the answer we have received from the Minister for Health regarding prisoners recommended for parole or release by the Mental Health Tribunal FYI.

MENTAL ILLNESS AMONG NEW SOUTH WALES PRISONERS
Anecdotal evidence from staff working in the New South Wales correctional system [prison system] has always suggested a high prevalence of mental illness among the prisoner population.

Govt urged to restructure Medicare

Mr Windsor says there is strong interest in health matters in the electorate.

A prominent international think tank is calling on the Government to restructure Medicare. The Institute of Health Economics and Technology Assessment says raising taxes alone is not a sustainable way to finance a health system, particularly as Australia's population ages.

Institute director Paul Gross says Australia needs to move towards more privatised health insurance.

"Looking at the way we are paying for it and what we're raising for it from the Medicare levy, about $6 billion a year out of total expenditures of about $70 billion this year, Medicare is not going to be able to pay for the care we need in the future," he said.

Meanwhile, an Independent member of Federal Parliament says a survey of his electorate has shown strong support for an increased Medicare levy. Federal Member for New England Tony Windsor says 4,000 people have responded to a survey he is conducting in his electorate. He says there is strong support for the Government to increase the Medicare levy from 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent.

Respondents believe there is an argument for a 0.5 per cent increase if it is used to improve bulk billing levels, extend payment to dental care and deliver more medical services.

Mr Windsor says there is strong interest in health matters in the electorate.

By Health 13 July 04