Student Unity
Student Unity (also known as SU or simply Unity) is a factional grouping within the Australian National Union of Students (NUS). It is politically aligned towards the Right or Labor Unity faction of the Australian Labor Party, in contrast to the National Labor Students faction, which is aligned to the Left.[1][2] Student Unity usually represents itself by means of a yin-yang logo, representing its position as the centre of the Australian political spectrum.
The faction views itself as being committed to both fiscal responsibility and lobbying for progressive causes, while its more left-wing opponents are critical of the faction's approach to social policy and view the faction as conservative and machinist.
Student Unity Policy[edit]
Aware of the financial collapse of NUS's forerunner, the Australian Union of Students, the faction's policy places particular emphasis on financial management and administration. The faction often votes against motions supporting issues that do not directly affect students or are felt to be too radical. Its belief is that the primary focus of the NUS should be issues directly relevant to students, and that pursuing advocacy on other, less student-specific causes would be an inappropriate use of NUS funds.
Student Unity policy is generally consistent with the policies of the Right faction of the Australian Labor Party, holding positions generally in favour of private education, free trade and private health coverage.[3] Among the Labor student factions it is the only faction to support HECS.[citation needed]
Like the Australian Labor Party, Student Unity utilises conscience voting on controversial debates such as abortion and reproductive rights, drug policies and other ethical issues.[4]
Critics of the faction argue that this leads to support of moral and social conservatism, but the faction argues that it allows the faction to unite moderate and progressive students under a single banner without splitting the faction on issues that are not critical to student services.
History[edit]
The faction formed in 1991, when David Feeney led members of the Labor Right to split with the Labor Left caucus, electing Pablo Campillos as NUS General Secretary, and refusing to back future Australian Democrats leader Natasha Stott Despoja for President of the Union.[5][6]
Since then, Unity has become one of the biggest factions in NUS, with a presence in most Australian states and territories.
Until 2006, the faction had successfully retained the position of NUS National General Secretary every year since its inception, due to a 'sweetheart' deal with the former National Organisation of Labor Students caucus. At the 2006 Conference, the faction failed to obtain the position of General Secretary for the first time in its history, the position going to an independent.[7][8]
However at the 2007 Conference, Student Unity produced a strong 33% of the national delegate vote and succeeded in electing a General Secretary, thus returning Student Unity to a significant role in NUS for the 2008.
List of NUS National Office Bearers from Student Unity[edit]
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2011
2001 - 2010 2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
1991 - 2000 2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
References[edit]
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