Simon Cunich, Sydney
Students have claimed all year that the Howard government's proposed "voluntary student unionism" (VSU) legislation is really aimed, not at giving freedom of choice as the government claims, but at silencing dissent against its neoliberal agenda, including the further privatisation of education. With VSU and the "anti-terror" laws both on the table it is not difficult to see the government's priorities include silencing dissent against its policies.
At Sydney University, it seems the crackdown on dissent has already started. A number of students have been arrested in relation to the anti-VSU campaign. Perhaps most disturbing is the events surrounding the arrest of three activists from Sydney University, who have become known as the "VSU 3".
The "VSU 3" are facing charges over alleged actions at an anti-VSU rally held on August 10. They were not arrested at the protest, but in the following weeks on the basis of video footage taken during the demonstration. Two were arrested by plain-clothed police whilst distributing leaflets on the grounds of Sydney University and the third while on his way home from a speak-out in defence of civil liberties.
Sydney University Student Representative Council president Rose Jackson described the arrests as "another disturbing example of the recent shift towards coercive intimidation of young activists". She pointed out that excessive police presence at anti-VSU demonstrations has contributed to this sense of intimidation.
Some students have drawn parallels to the tactics employed by police at the protests against the Forbes CEO conference in Sydney in August. It was following his participation in these protests that US peace activist Scott Parkin was deported on the basis of a supposed threat to Australia's "national security". One of the "VSU 3", Patrick Langosch, said, "Many of us involved in the anti-VSU campaign have been concerned by the recent detention and deportation of Scott Parkin who lived and campaigned with Sydney University students while in Sydney."
Similar cases of intimidation have been experienced at the University of Western Sydney, where the university administration attempted to force students organising forums and speak-outs against the occupation of Iraq to pay for extra security and told the students involved that the "relevant authorities" had been informed about the events.
Following his arrest, Langosch said: "We believe that many of the proposed amendments to anti-terrorism legislation that seek to criminalise vague actions such as 'supporting Australia's enemies' are aimed at those who oppose the government."
Student activists are adamant, however, that they will not be silenced and will continue to campaign against both the proposed VSU legislation and "anti-terror" laws. Following the apparent decision of the Howard government not to attempt to pass VSU legislation this year, a speak-out held at Sydney University on October 25, around the theme "VSU in crisis" assessed the success of collective action in winning this concession. Students discussed plans to maintain the pressure on the government to abandon VSU altogether, and demand that the university administration not allow police onto campus to arrest activists.
From Green Left Weekly, November 2, 2005.
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