The University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) stands in solidarity with the University of Queensland Union (UQU) against the repeated threats to their independence from University of Queensland management.

UMSU—like every other student union—is immensely proud of our history of activism, advocacy, and independence. It’s a core tenet of our work.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve watched with dismay as UQU have spoken out against the repeated threats they’ve faced from University of Queensland management.

Threats like these impact the ability of student unions to oppose decisions made by unelected university officials; they undermine our ability to engage meaningfully in student democracy and activism; and they seek to punish students for speaking out.

The forced dependency of student unions on universities for basic funding allows them to weaponise threats of restructures, funding cuts, and service agreements every time a student unionist steps out of line.

20 years ago, Voluntary Student Unionism—the Howard Government’s transparent attempt to destroy independent student organising—dismantled the longstanding independence and self-sufficiency of our unions.

The damage this caused has never truly been undone; student unions across Australia have been left structurally dependent upon the whims of the very institutions we so often must push back against. 

It is a testament to the unyielding courage of a generation of student activists that we are still able to engage in this kind of activism—that is a right we must unequivocally defend.

UMSU stands by UQU and recognises these threats for what they are—the continuation of a sustained pattern of attacks on the independence and activism of student unions. 

We condemn efforts by universities across the country to threaten the functions and independence of student unions and reiterate the importance of Student Services and Amenities Fees being held and controlled by and for students.