MELBOURNE — Around 60 students and staff joined a speak-out at enrollment hall organised by Melbourne University Student Union and the National Tertiary Education Industry Union (NTEU). It highlighted for the thousands of first-year students present demands for better conditions and resources for students and staff, a pay increase for staff and an end to the corporatisation of education at the university.
Melbourne University vice-chancellor Alan Gilbert is notorious for introducing up-front fees for domestic undergraduates and for his championing of Melbourne University Private.
There will be further action on January 29 at the University's welcome day for new students. The NTEU plan to take strike action for wages and conditions on March 7.