Slogan: Lead with Layla
Colour: Lime Green
Faction: Independent
Degree: Arts II (Politics and International Relations)
Quiz Score: 69.4%
Favourite USU venue on Campus: Courtyard or Laneway
Biggest Campus Pet Peeve: F@ck!ng FASS1000
Most Toxic Trait: Her Sonny Angels collection
Favourite Bathroom to ‘go piss girl’ on Campus: She’s gatekeeping…
Layla Wang is a second year Bachelor of Arts student, majoring in Politics and International Relations. Wang is an independent candidate who describes herself as left-wing. Wang currently works as a UNICEF ambassador and is President of the Sydney Arts Students Society. She has also volunteered for the USU VTeam and is a student partner for the Discipline of International Relations.
In the interview with Honi, Wang highlighted the need for greater autonomy for clubs and societies, as well as the challenges of discretionary grants. She suggested using the USU’s $350,000 surplus to provide discounted equity tickets for events, and proposed that the 8 per cent cost increase in USU outlet food and beverages should be used to fund equity tickets for financially disadvantaged students. Wang also emphasised the need for more free events, and suggested using existing USU outlets for these free events.
Wang further suggested that welfare officers should receive training in first-aid, mental health first-aid, and accidental counselling. She proposed having two welfare officers at high-risk events, directly speaking to overnight camps and off-campus events. When asked about consequences for clubs non-compliant on the welfare policy, Wang proposed restricting allocated funding, or probation on running high-risk events.
Wang spoke to the need to provide supportive initiatives for E12 Students, such as more social events. She said that she would also advocate for rental caps on USU-affiliated accommodations, such as the Queen Mary Building. On the topic of the USU board, Wang said that the board should consult with autonomous collectives to maintain safe spaces. She also mentioned the lack of menstrual products and paper towels in autonomous spaces. Wang also proposed expanding the $6 after 6pm meal deal to more USU outlets, and introducing an evening period for FoodHub.
Wangs aims for all USU online content to be digitally accessible for the visually impaired, ESL, and neurodivergent individuals. She hopes to incorporate the ReciteMe assistive toolbar onto the USU website to include text to speech availability, translations, reading aids and individual website customisations. Wang’s digital accessibility policy will likely reach fruition and have an immediate material impact, given these changes are already on the USU’s radar.
She noted the importance of the USU taking open political stances on issues such as climate change. Wang suggested greater transparency in the USU Board’s decision-making processes and in reporting systems for clubs and societies. She proposed rekindling forums, such as the Queer Forum and the Disabilities Forum, and spoke to the need for an online reporting system for clubs and societies to address issues, such as SASH. She advocates for the BDS movement and ethical investments, and supports the abolishment of the CAP.
Wang scored 69.4 per cent on the Honi quiz, the second highest of any candidate. In the quiz, Wang correctly identified changes to higher education legislation. She was among the few candidates to identify changes to HECS benchmarking to WPI and CPI (whichever is lower). She also correctly identified the NSW Minister for Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, and the minister’s role in education on a state level. Wang was the only candidate that identified the National Tertiary Education Union’s demand for Indigenous employment parity with the rest of the population. Where she fell short was in being unable to correctly define casual employment, describing the characteristics of part-time employment and not identifying casual loading. She was also unable to describe the process by which SSAF allocations are decided.
Wang’s policies are comprehensive and admirable, with some policies such as digital accessibility measures eminently achievable and having immediate impacts. If elected to board, she will have to brush up on gaps in institutional knowledge.
Watch Layla’s interview here!
