29 September 2011

MANA will reverse ACT's brutal Voluntary Student Membership attack on Tertiary Students

MANA education spokesperson John Minto says if MANA MPs are see that ACT led vicious attack on them is reversed with a repeal of legislation which makes student association membership voluntary.

Mr. Minto says student associations play a vital role as the conscience of society as well as providers of student services and the deliberate weakening of them by the government will not only affect present day students but have ongoing implications.

"This nasty piece of legislation is a victory lap patsy handed to Roger Douglas for his services to the right wing as he leaves parliament.

“It makes no sense in a democracy to strip students of their ability to voice their legitimate concerns.

“So-called "freedom of association" is a red herring. Students have always been able to opt out of fees going to an association if they had a philosophical issue against it, but this is about allowing Douglas the political scalp of killing off Student Associations.

“It's petty, it's nasty and it's ultimately going to cost students their ability to represent themselves."

ENDS

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