On Sunday 3rd of August, queer groups in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart and Canberra held demonstrations to oppose laws which discriminate against same-sex couples. Saturday 9th was WA's turn. Perth queers turned out to protest their unfair treatment at the hands of the Howard and Rudd governments with some passionate speakers and a march down Fremantle's busy Cappuccino Strip.
Jim Morrison, as a representative of the Nyoongah people, both queer and straight, welcomed us to the event. He spoke about the need for acceptance of all people, regardless of race or sexuality, and the role of queers in the battle for reconciliation. The queer rep for the NUS, James Vigus, had flown over from Melbourne with over 30,000 signatures on a petition against the same-sex marriage ban, and compared our backwards government with those of other countries like Spain who have legalised same-sex unions. He mentioned the Jeff Bennett homophobia scandal, and the high rate of queer youth suicides, ending with a warning for Mr Rudd: "We're going to win."
Local politicians spoke their minds on the controversial issue. Lousie Pratt, Labour senator and member of the LGBTI community, spoke against party lines about the 100+ laws that Rudd has promised to repeal, the lack of commitment from the Liberals on same-sex policy and her upcoming speech to the Senate, in which she will express the need for a "full and complete equality" between queers and straights. Giz Watson and Lynn MacLaren from the Greens acknowledged Ms Pratt's contribution as an activist, and said that removing homophobia from the education system is a high priority in the LGBTI struggle. They stressed a need for more support in the state government, and said "We have a tough battle on our hands."
Katherine Hakwins, ECU queer rep and member of Gay and Lesbian Equality (GALE) argued not whether queer Australians should marry, but that they should have the basic right to choose. "It's about respect. It's about having the right to make the choice for ourselves." from the Perth Inner City Youth Service agreed that it was a debate about human rights, and that we should be free from fear of discrimination regardless of race, sexuality, gender identity or religion.
One name that came up a few times was Penny Wong, the lesbian Labour minister who said that "My view is that I'm a member of the party, the party's got a very clear view and that is a view that is supported, let's be frank, by the vast majority of Australians." This lack of encouragement from a LGBTI person in a prominent position is a solid example of our need to speak up, to support each other, queer or straight, in the quest for equal rights.
And after all this debate, it was time to head for the pub.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Phillip Coorey
Chief Political CorrespondentAugust 21, 2008
EXCLUSIVE
THE Rudd Government is set to reintroduce compulsory fees for university students to reverse a decline in sporting and social services on campuses.
It is understood that an announcement is due next month on an "opt-out" system in which students will be able to choose which services their fees are spent on and whether they belong to the student union.
It will aim to redress what the Government says are the consequences of the Howard government wiping out compulsory student unionism in late 2005 and replacing it with voluntary student unionism.
The former government relied on the support of the Family First Senator Steve Fielding after the Nationals Barnaby Joyce crossed the Senate floor because he feared a decline in campus sport.
Senator Joyce, who met recently with the National Union of Students, told the Herald yesterday that he would vote with Labor again if he liked the legislation.
Sport, he said, had been "smacked" by VSU. "I haven't changed my position. If it's right, I will support it," he said.
"You've got to have some capacity to cover sporting costs. A university is more than an academic institution."
A report commissioned in February by the Youth Minister, Kate Ellis, and released recently, received more than 162 submissions, the majority of which "concluded that the abolition of upfront compulsory student union fees had impacted negatively on the provision of amenities and services to university students".
For example, the University of Technology, Sydney, reported that compulsory student unionism used to raise $6.2 million a year for services. That had declined to $190,000 a year and the university had contributed another $500,000 from its operating budget.
To cope, it increased food prices by 15 per cent and reduced "funding and member numbers in sporting, recreational, cultural and social clubs".
The Howard government offered about $80 million in transitional assistance but that runs out on June 30 next year.
Despite this, the report found most universities were having to supplement student services from funds budgeted for salaries, learning and research.
The Education Minister, Julia Gillard, has in recent days reinforced Labor's election pledge that "there would not be a return to compulsory student unionism".
But a Labor source said Ms Gillard was choosing her language carefully. Labor would not reintroduce compulsory student union membership but the fee that accompanied the membership and funded services.
"It's like saying that you won't pay taxes," the source said of those opposed to having to pay a fee.
Before VSU, fees ranged from $100 to $600. Under the new system, yet to go before cabinet, fees would be at the lower end of the scale.
Under opt-out proposals, students could tick a box if they were unhappy with their fees being spent on any area in particular. There would be restrictions or bans on money being used for partisan politics but student advocacy would be funded.
The Opposition education spokesman, Tony Smith, was opposed to any change.
"We thought the legislation we passed was the right legislation. The former Howard government gave students choice," he said.
The president of the National Union of Students, Angus McFarland, said the Government needed to pass the legislation in time for fees to be collected at the start of the academic year.
"Month after month, services keep degrading. It's that urgent."
Chief Political CorrespondentAugust 21, 2008
EXCLUSIVE
THE Rudd Government is set to reintroduce compulsory fees for university students to reverse a decline in sporting and social services on campuses.
It is understood that an announcement is due next month on an "opt-out" system in which students will be able to choose which services their fees are spent on and whether they belong to the student union.
It will aim to redress what the Government says are the consequences of the Howard government wiping out compulsory student unionism in late 2005 and replacing it with voluntary student unionism.
The former government relied on the support of the Family First Senator Steve Fielding after the Nationals Barnaby Joyce crossed the Senate floor because he feared a decline in campus sport.
Senator Joyce, who met recently with the National Union of Students, told the Herald yesterday that he would vote with Labor again if he liked the legislation.
Sport, he said, had been "smacked" by VSU. "I haven't changed my position. If it's right, I will support it," he said.
"You've got to have some capacity to cover sporting costs. A university is more than an academic institution."
A report commissioned in February by the Youth Minister, Kate Ellis, and released recently, received more than 162 submissions, the majority of which "concluded that the abolition of upfront compulsory student union fees had impacted negatively on the provision of amenities and services to university students".
For example, the University of Technology, Sydney, reported that compulsory student unionism used to raise $6.2 million a year for services. That had declined to $190,000 a year and the university had contributed another $500,000 from its operating budget.
To cope, it increased food prices by 15 per cent and reduced "funding and member numbers in sporting, recreational, cultural and social clubs".
The Howard government offered about $80 million in transitional assistance but that runs out on June 30 next year.
Despite this, the report found most universities were having to supplement student services from funds budgeted for salaries, learning and research.
The Education Minister, Julia Gillard, has in recent days reinforced Labor's election pledge that "there would not be a return to compulsory student unionism".
But a Labor source said Ms Gillard was choosing her language carefully. Labor would not reintroduce compulsory student union membership but the fee that accompanied the membership and funded services.
"It's like saying that you won't pay taxes," the source said of those opposed to having to pay a fee.
Before VSU, fees ranged from $100 to $600. Under the new system, yet to go before cabinet, fees would be at the lower end of the scale.
Under opt-out proposals, students could tick a box if they were unhappy with their fees being spent on any area in particular. There would be restrictions or bans on money being used for partisan politics but student advocacy would be funded.
The Opposition education spokesman, Tony Smith, was opposed to any change.
"We thought the legislation we passed was the right legislation. The former Howard government gave students choice," he said.
The president of the National Union of Students, Angus McFarland, said the Government needed to pass the legislation in time for fees to be collected at the start of the academic year.
"Month after month, services keep degrading. It's that urgent."
QUEER COLLABORATIONS
FREEDOMS ARE WON, NOT GIVEN
Queer students from around Australia assembled in Melbourne during early July for the annual National Union of Students conference, Queer Collaborations. This included a twenty six teamed delegation from all four Western Australian public universities, with ten students coming from Murdoch.
The highly charged conference tackled the big current issues, historic battles and the hot topic Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU), which is killing Queer departments right around the country.
National Union of Students Queer Officer James Vigus says university queer departments are concerned with the delay and lack of help thus far in the bid to repeal VSU. "I think it's a tragedy with youth suicide so high and people arriving on campus for the first time - if you're young and queer, it used to be easier before these new laws came in [VSU] to access basically anything you wanted on campus to do with issues that concern young queer people."
Minister for Youth and Sport Kate Ellis has been forced to publicly recognise the unique damage VSU has over Queer departments stating "We've spoken with [student services] and the role of the queer or sexuality office is very important. I'm sure that it's a place a lot of people come out, and there needs to be support and a network for people. Universities need to be a welcoming place for people regardless of race, age or sexuality," said Ellis.
Julia Gillard’s office has come out and stated that Labour are looking at three models that will serve to turn around the effects of VSU, which was part of John Howard’s Union bashing agenda.
To further state the message loud and clear, conference delegates marched the streets of Melbourne into Federal MP Lindsay Tanner’s office, demanding three immediate actions by the Labour Government - lift the ban against same-sex marriage, repeal VSU and stop Queerphobia in the education system.
The march recognises the need for our community to mobalise and to force the Rudd Government to deliver equality now. Delegates were inspired by our historically activist past and now want to lead the wave of resistance to end Queerphobic legistration in Australia.
There has been a rally organized for the 9th August at Kings Square, Fremantle starting from 12noon. Guest speakers will address the protesters and then the action is to hit the streets of Fremantle. The day marks the anniversary of John Howard’s ban against same-sex marriage and the action is calling for the Rudd Labour Government to lift the marriage ban, repeal the 100+ laws that discriminate against same-sex couples and stop Queerphobia in the Education system.
Emma Kingdon
Queer students from around Australia assembled in Melbourne during early July for the annual National Union of Students conference, Queer Collaborations. This included a twenty six teamed delegation from all four Western Australian public universities, with ten students coming from Murdoch.
The highly charged conference tackled the big current issues, historic battles and the hot topic Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU), which is killing Queer departments right around the country.
National Union of Students Queer Officer James Vigus says university queer departments are concerned with the delay and lack of help thus far in the bid to repeal VSU. "I think it's a tragedy with youth suicide so high and people arriving on campus for the first time - if you're young and queer, it used to be easier before these new laws came in [VSU] to access basically anything you wanted on campus to do with issues that concern young queer people."
Minister for Youth and Sport Kate Ellis has been forced to publicly recognise the unique damage VSU has over Queer departments stating "We've spoken with [student services] and the role of the queer or sexuality office is very important. I'm sure that it's a place a lot of people come out, and there needs to be support and a network for people. Universities need to be a welcoming place for people regardless of race, age or sexuality," said Ellis.
Julia Gillard’s office has come out and stated that Labour are looking at three models that will serve to turn around the effects of VSU, which was part of John Howard’s Union bashing agenda.
To further state the message loud and clear, conference delegates marched the streets of Melbourne into Federal MP Lindsay Tanner’s office, demanding three immediate actions by the Labour Government - lift the ban against same-sex marriage, repeal VSU and stop Queerphobia in the education system.
The march recognises the need for our community to mobalise and to force the Rudd Government to deliver equality now. Delegates were inspired by our historically activist past and now want to lead the wave of resistance to end Queerphobic legistration in Australia.
There has been a rally organized for the 9th August at Kings Square, Fremantle starting from 12noon. Guest speakers will address the protesters and then the action is to hit the streets of Fremantle. The day marks the anniversary of John Howard’s ban against same-sex marriage and the action is calling for the Rudd Labour Government to lift the marriage ban, repeal the 100+ laws that discriminate against same-sex couples and stop Queerphobia in the Education system.
Emma Kingdon
Blog Renovations!
As you may be able to tell by the current state of the Queer Collective Blog, it's currently going through some very exciting renovations.
Administration is working tirelessly (as we do) to address some of the structuring issues and will shortly be posting up a new layout, new colour scheme and a truckload of new photos.
An email will be sent out to all Queer Collective Members upon completion so everyone can bask in the awesomeness of our newly refurbished blogspot!
Please feel free to continue utilising the space to post any news, updates, concerns, stories or just anything that made you motivated enough to tell everyone :D
Thank you for your support and patience!
Michael
Administration is working tirelessly (as we do) to address some of the structuring issues and will shortly be posting up a new layout, new colour scheme and a truckload of new photos.
An email will be sent out to all Queer Collective Members upon completion so everyone can bask in the awesomeness of our newly refurbished blogspot!
Please feel free to continue utilising the space to post any news, updates, concerns, stories or just anything that made you motivated enough to tell everyone :D
Thank you for your support and patience!
Michael
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