Slogan: Success with Simon
Colour: Matcha Green
Faction: Independent
Degree: JD I
Quiz Score: 34%
Simon Homsany is running as an independent candidate on an “apolitical” campaign. When asked further about any past affiliations, Homsamy spoke to how his “politics are [his] policies.” He noted that his enthusiasm to join the board is derived solely from improving student experience.
Homsany’s quiz results display a sound working knowledge of USU facilities and outreach, with correct answers when questioned on USU procedures, as well as questions pertaining to staff and societies. Homsany also gave accurate responses for questions revolving around figures such as the HECS repayment threshold.
Weaknesses in his knowledge were prominent in the areas of VSU, as well as current affairs in tertiary education — namely the Universities Accord Final Report, the campaign for unpaid placements.
When asked about what prior experience would lend itself to a USU board member role, Homsamy noted previous leadership roles at NGO’s in Perth, as well as involvement in sport. According to his Linkedin profile, Homsamy is a chartered accountant who has previously worked at PwC.
Homsamy argued his policies were designed to combat “a decline in university” numbers in the context of the pandemic. It was unclear if he meant enrollment numbers which have bounced back since 2021 or if he meant USU membership.
His trademark policy is a “buddy program” where international students would be paired with domestic students who would be trained to help students with language skills and create a “sense of belonging and identity” on campus.
When pressed about why the USU is best placed to run this program and how he would recruit enough domestic student volunteers, he said there was an existing desire to help and there could be incentives for students who take part.
While well intentioned, and postured as inclusive, the forms of support Homsany desire are already available at the University through faculty support systems, and some of the subjects Homsany envisioned such as the history of Australia and “our nation’s values” seemed remote from the daily experiences of students.
Drawing on his academic background in accounting, Homsany is also proposing the USU offer free financial literacy classes to its members. In the context of a cost of living crisis, he argued, teaching students foundational budgeting skills and providing information about the housing and job market was essential.
Who would teach the classes and design the curriculum alongside Homsany is unclear but in the light of the rising cost of living, it is easy to see why many students would benefit from this information.
Like many other candidates, Homsany is concerned about the cost of food on campus telling us that “too many students can’t afford to get lunch or even a coffee.”
His proposed method of reducing food costs in existing USU programs is to “focus on the supply side.” He argued the USU needed to expand its suppliers and negotiate with organisations to purchase their excess stock.
When asked for details on what those suppliers looked like and how they differed from the current USU partnership model, Homsany pointed to Food Banks and OZharvest as potential suppliers whom the USU could negotiate deals with.
His accounting and consulting background makes him well placed to improve the delivery and administration of programs like FoodHub, however, it remains to be seen if he is any better than the current board at securing more suppliers.
Although his accounting experience speaks well to working with a financial portfolio on the board, some of his student life policies seem disconnected from the role of the USU.