Come out ye Green and Reds! Election is upon us yet again. Those veterans of student elections may note many staples and stock characters of SRC elections this year. SAlt and Grassroots are promising bold action and uncompromising principles, Labor are crying out to stay relevant, Liberals are trying to “save” the SRC from activism (itself) and the usual mishmash of tickets representing different Faculties are trying to break in.
Student interest in activism for Palestine has provided the greatest opportunity for the electorate to grow. Multiple tickets are harnessing that message and the legacy of the encampment combined with the recent SGM may highlight the importance of engagement for more on campus.
Whether turnout or engagement with student politics will improve remains to be seen. While increasing engagement is always something candidates love to harp on about, the bread and butter remains the same: social media accounts, messaging, and Eastern Avenue leafleting. Students beware!
The three-way presidential contest — the first in 7 years — is worthy of considerable attention. Labor has failed twice to beat Grassroots in the last five years but a choice between two left-wing candidates meant conservative voters may have come out in less numbers.
Bryson Constable’s successful USU campaign demonstrated that a mobilisation of college and conservative students is possible. Even if Thomas Thorpe does not win, his ability to impact preferences poses a real threat to a left-wing SRC.
The President controls the budget for collectives, leads campaigns, and is the voice for students on multiple University committees. This is not an office the left can afford to lose.
The burden is on the left-wing factions to defend the achievements of the SRC and convey the importance of activism to every student, not just the ones already involved.
