Student fees could be back but don’t mention unions
The introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism in 2005 sparked student protest around the country. Predictably contributions dropped dramatically and services at universities around the country have suffered. Now students may soon be be paying compulsory fees again, if the Federal government gets its way in parliament, but they are specifically targeted at services and not designed to give students any kind of independent voice . Story features: National Union of Students president Carla Drakeford. Higher Education Minister Chris Evans announced this week that he will be re introducing draft legislation to reinstate the 250 dollar charge The fees used to be compulsory but were banned in 2005 when the Howard government passed Voluntary Student Unionism Bill