If only they had changed their name and got rid of that accursed "Union" tag and all its evil connotations.

Then they could have remained totally apolitical and called themselves something like a Federation (like in National Farmers Federation) or an Association (as in Australian Medical Association)and all would have been well.

Maybe one day somebody will stand up to Local Councils and other adminstrative groups that also extract rates that aren't on a strictly user basis too.

If the ppremise of teh article is that if it looks like a duck then it is a duck then the objection should have been directed at the word Union - Students unions were not about organizing labour to exact better working conditions.
I have been associated with flinders University since 1968. The campus has to provide all the services students need simply because it is comparatively isolated. Before this crazy law came into effect students could get a decent meal up to about 7pm. After that time the union was open for coffee and snacks. No longer all the amenities shut down at 5 and prices are up by about 30%, no longer are students employed, the various student publications have pulled up stumps.
If people would be happier to call the $250 amenities fee compulsory student unionism then call it that - I dont care what it is called as long as there are the funds for students to provide the services and hopefully engage in some ratbag political activism - all for the good.

a duck needs to be entire
removing the unions is like castration[ie its not an entire duck no more]

as one not knowing the 'advantage' of university . it still appears to me the4 buzz is those who do [by and large] 'earn' a higher inbcome [if not status]

of course this exclusive boys club wants to keep it secret [while getting ever more tax cuts ,as well as fre lunches ,but hey guess what
the services are expected by these spoiled [over educated] elite ,so guess what USER pays

if your not using the 'ser-vice' so what
that is your choice

but as charity cant work with out donations , nothing else can either
so not all of us want or use charity ,that dosnt mean they shouldnt be funded
preferably by user pays

look when your getting all unies get
dont be making noises how bad you got it NOW
education allows you to see the future
so just pay up and get to IMPORTANT issues

next case

wobbles said:

"If only they had changed their name and got rid of that accursed "Union" tag and all its evil connotations."

On that basis, we should abolish marriages which are a union between man and woman. And whatever will become of Rugby Union? And the Union Jack?

BAYGON's is the voice of reason and experience:

"If people would be happier to call the $250 amenities fee compulsory student unionism then call it that - I dont care what it is called as long as there are the funds for students to provide the services and hopefully engage in some ratbag political activism - all for the good."

Amen brother!

Will they tell us how much of compulsory Student Union fees end up in Labor Party coffers?Let the students organise their own social gatherings and keep the Unions out of it.If the Liberal Party had a compulsory fee arrangement in the guise of enhancing social amenity,all hell would break loose.

Is not HEX and survival enough impost on the young who just want to work towards a future?

It is a hard slog for students these days. Not only do they have to spend the first few years in the workforce paying back HECS fees (some quite exhorbitant), but also trying to save for their first home. Rents are higher due to housing shortages which makes saving more difficult. And even if they obtain their first house, both partners are required to work to pay it off and mortgage payments as a proportion of total income is much higher.

If union fees were all the students paid it would not be a concern. It does not matter one jot that the Student Unions were a hotbed of politics. This is part of the uni experience - well it was in the 70s - and a richer environment it was for it. What better than examining ideas, debating ideologies and human nature that made us into the well rounded people that we are today. :)

At my university the union fees paid for subsidised food and other amenities as well as running the bookshop and employment office.