Aussie Artists Protest Plan To Kill Compulsory University Union Fees

A move by the Australian government to to do away with compulsory student union fees at universities has artists concerned. “Every year, students pay a compulsory union fee, which varies between $100 and $500, depending on the campus. Student-run bodies use the money to pay for services such as food and bar subsidies, sporting grounds, advocacy services, galleries and campus sport and arts clubs. A proportion is also used to fund political pursuits, including campaigns against higher university fees. The Government says students who never use these services or don’t join campus clubs shouldn’t be forced to pay for them, and has drafted a bill to make the fee voluntary.” Artists say the cut in fee collections will kill programs.