On Wednesday 2nd April, the SRC held its second council for the year after quorum was called at 6:23pm. Strap in as we recount the harrowing four hours we spent in the ABS dungeons.
Angus Fisher, the President (NSWLS), opened the council with the Acknowledgement of Country. He went through the resignations, asking “I have to approve the resignations? What if I say no?” The resignations were approved.
Fisher went through the Presidential Reports, noting that the Undergraduate Fellow had still not been elected and would be filled until the closure of the election by Fisher and Bryson Constable (USU President, Liberal).
Tragedy and Farce: Motion Q1
Motion Q1, moved by Shovan Bhattarai (SAlt) and Taleen Jameel (SAlt), sought to oppose Trump and the normalisation of far-right policies, demanding that “Foreign Minister Penny Wong apologise for attending Trump’s inauguration in January.”
Jasmine Al-Rawi (SAlt) said “[They] defend fascists in America, the far-right government in America, the deportation of thousands and thousands of immigrants in America sent to El-Salvador just for having tattoos.”
“[Albanese] actively supports this government… this shows exactly how right-wing the Labor party is.”
Taleen Jameel (SAlt) spoke in favour stating the two faces of Labor: one that claims to want to fight fascism, and one that paves the way for it. One is reminded of the famous Marx quote about tragedy and farce.
“Instead of defending trans rights, they went in for a review of trans rights. Whenever the Labor party is under pressure, they bow down.
“They responded, instead of defending trans rights by calling a review into trans rights… who knows what that looks like — it might look like The Cass Review in the U.K. which restricted trans rights.”
Jameel called for a response from NLS/NSWLS. Shovan Bhattarai heckled, “Seriously? You guys have nothing to say?”
Jasmine Donnelly responded, “We are not NLS.”
All’s Fair in Love and Assessments: Motion Q3
Motion Q3, moved by Philip Howard (Centre Unity) and Leo Moore (Centre Unity), called for fairer assessments, including measures like prohibiting exams from being weighted over 50 per cent, not running examinations on weekends during semester, and not offering assessments in week 13 for subjects that had exams after the semester.
Lilah Thurbon (Groots) moved an amendment to add a platform stating “The SRC recognises that financial stress from the extortionate cost of living and the exploitation of students from the corporate university, contributes to the student mental health crisis and calls for free education now.”
Centre Unity and NSWLS voted against the amendment, which carried nevertheless.
Annabel Petit (SAlt) spoke for the amended motion: “[Motions like this] all distract from what is the key issue causing mental stress on young people and students…two thirds of students live below the poverty line… these are the kinds of questions students from Labor Right refuse to acknowledge.”
Petit added, “The bigger stress is that you’re burdened with a lifetime of debt which the Labor government could wipe twice over with just the amount they’ve spent on nuclear submarines.
“For the party that invented HECS to be like ‘we’re against the student mental health crisis’… brother, you invented it! You created it and you can fix it.”
Remy Lebreton (Groots) also spoke in favour: “[We are] applying bandaid after bandaid after bandaid… people are mentally unwell, and they’re struggling and dying for a reason… it’s the lack of support… people struggling to address their material needs at a base level.”
Luke Mešterović (Groots, 2023 Honi editor) gave us a lesson about Qing-era China warning us of the consequences of small piecemeal aims when the system is collapsing around us. “Dr Sun Yat Sen is turning in his grave… At least Bob Hawke was a big idea right-wing guy! Put your soul into it! This makes me sad!” He called for addressing the root of the mental health crisis and for free education now.
Stand in Solidarity: Motion R6
Motion R6 was moved from the floor, by Vince Tafea (Groots) and Remy Lebreton (Groots), speaking to “Solidarity with ASMOF NSW and their upcoming industrial action.”
Vince Tafea (Groots): “To recognise the mental health crisis in Australia, that’s good. But there’s a gap… your party is responsible for it in NSW… since you care so much about mental health.”
Tafea said that “doctors deserve more than acknowledgement for their contributions… The most vulnerable in our community are not getting the help they need.” Holding up his Medicare card — an action widely used by Labor politicians and hacks alike this election cycle — pushed NSWLS to respond to the failure of the Labor party to address ASMOF’s demands: “I’m sure Labor would love to see this… this right here is a Medicare card… what the fuck does it do if there are no doctors to see you?”
Mia Williams (NLS) added that “psychologists and psychiatrists and social workers… they are the backbone of mental health. They have done so much to support young people.”
Jessica Heap spoke on behalf of NSWLS to support the motion, but commented that “the final two action points are a little bit petty… is that necessary?” The final two action points called on the SRC President to implement the action points of the March Council Motion: “Solidarity with NSW public sector psychiatrists” that have yet to be done. It’s unclear why NSWLS found these points unnecessary.
This motion was carried.
Serbian Student Solidarity: Motion R1
Motion R1 was for the SRC to stand in solidarity with student protestors in Serbia against their government’s corruption.
Dana Kafina (Groots) moved the motion and Mešterović seconded, stating: “We are seeing half a million people out on the streets, and it’s only a population of six million… Students are doing so much, taking over unis… I’m proud to be Serbian and a student when I see what the students are doing over there.”
Sofija Flipovic (Groots) recounted her experience after 3 months in Serbia having participated in the protests: “For 24 hours, they organised themselves faculty by faculty… the community came out, fed them, entertained them, joined in solidarity in music. I truly can’t explain to you in words the feeling of being there.”
Emma Searle (SAlt) drew comparisons to domestic affairs, adding that “Here in this country we have a Labor party that has cracked down in ordinary working class life… we need to take a leaf out of the Serbian book.”
This motion was carried, and the SRC took a solidarity photo. Hopefully, our SRC can learn from the Serbs!
USU Inc.: Motion Q6
Bryson Constable, USU President, moved a motion to incorporate the USU. He spoke for the motion: “The USU not being incorporated means we cannot enter into some contracts and we have a greater liability. Incorporation has been sought after by presidents for many years.”
He added, “It helps us to avoid being defrauded… It protects our membership and encourages more USU members to participate in governance… The drawbacks are few.”
Thurbon contradicted this, saying “Incorporation doesn’t actually require the specific restructure of the board… It is unclear why they both want a smaller term and increase the stipends they are receiving.”
She continued slamming the incorporation survey as a push poll: “The last feedback survey [the USU] put out was incredibly misleading… questions are phrased like… ‘Incorporation of the USU will give everyone a kitten and a puppy’.”
Godwin argued that the attempt at incorporation was “a Liberal Party power grab”.
Constable, in a right of reply response, said “I want to reassure those questioning that this is not a power grab, if it is an issue that people have, and [they] think this is a power grab, I will resign and not sit as IPP and will not take part in Exec elections.”
The motion failed.
Honi witnessed several Grassroots councillors approach Constable after the motion failed asking him to sign a written statement affirming that he will resign and thus not become IPP. Constable declined to sign.
The Final Ten: Motion Q8
Finally onto motion Q8, appointing the legendary Victor Zhang as the 10th and final Honi Soit editor for 2025. Yay!
“A large part of why I started writing [for Honi]… was because of Khanh Tran. I’m glad to be on the editorial side of things now,” Victor said.
The motion carried, meaning Victor could finally get paid. Rest in peace, Khanh.
