CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

Transcription

1 2016 Arc SRC and NUS CANDIDATE STATEMENTS THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY THE CANDIDATES AND THE RETURNING OFFICER ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS ACCURACY. Candidates for Officer positions are shown in the order they will appear on the ballot paper. Tickets for Councillor and NUS positions are shown in the order the Tickets will appear, and candidates are shown in seniority order as provided by the Tickets. PRESIDENT OF THE SRC Gene BROWNLIE (Left Action) Hey, I m Gene and I m running for president of the UNSW SRC with LEFT ACTION. Left Action stands for an activist left-wing SRC that is dedicated to campaigning against the university management and the Liberal government. We think that rebuilding a culture of student protest is vital both for rejuvenating student unionism and for placing left-wing politics back at the centre of political debate in Australia Students are being squeezed as university management, backed up by the federal government, seek to entrench a profit-driven system. At the same time the corporate elite, and the mainstream politicians who serve them, are constantly launching right wing attacks on refugees, muslims, LGBTI, and indigenous people. We need an SRC that can organise resistance to this conservative agenda. For this to happen we need student activists in the SRC, not student politicians who just want to further their own career. Whether it's petitioning in support of refugees or protesting against the increases to students fees, Left Action are active all year around, not just during elections. Michael MURDOCCA (Ignite) I decided to run to be your SRC President in 2017 because I know that my team can do the best job in fighting for the everyday interests of students. I ve seen too many students struggle to balance purchasing textbooks with other financial commitments. As the Welfare Officer for 2016 I ve had enough of witnessing students struggle to gain access to appropriate resting spaces on campus especially with regards to students with disabilities. We can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. I believe that the SRC should represent student concerns and be more open to engaging with clubs, societies and the most marginalised students. Student funds need to be managed wisely and pragmatically. If elected as President, I will be a strong advocate for increased student services on campus and place pressure on governments to adopt higher education policies which benefit students. Together, I know we can create a better UNSW. Aislinn STEIN-MAGEE (Activate) GENERAL SECRETARY Zack SOLOMON (Activate)

2 Zara KHAN (Ignite) My name's Zara Khan and I'm running to be the General Secretary of the UNSW SRC. With my previous involvement within the SRC as a councillor, and an interim ethno-cultural officer, as well as my involvement in other representative groups such as the Arts Faculty Board, I have a clear vision for what I want to achieve in Through these previous roles I have gained a thorough understanding of how meetings and councils are managed, which will benefit me greatly in this role. As a woman of colour, I have a goal to help the SRC create equality at UNSW, and ensure a fairness of representation. I am an incredibly dedicated and passionate candidate, and hope to achieve the best for student welfare at UNSW and create positive change through the appropriate channels. Sarah GARNHAM (Left Action) I'm running for this position because i believe that it is not the pre-ordained destiny for general secretaries to be petty tyrants. I think that all elected members of the student union should be fighting for social justice, students rights and a better world. I don t mean that in a lame, send christmas cards to the homeless type way. I think that we need fundamental social change that challenges the rule of the rich and the oppression of the poor. Student unions have been most inspiring and socially significant when they have been fighting imperialist wars, fighting the corporate elite and fighting university management (aka the corporate elite). In our times, attacks on students, workers and the poor are popular currency for both major parties. Student unions have a role to play in challenging the neoliberal, capitalist consensus. If you agree, vote Left Action. EDUCATION OFFICER Dylan LLOYD (Activate) Kelly WU (Ignite) Gabriel HANRAHAN-LAWRENCE (Left Action) I am a third year student in a BSc/BA and I have already made a name for myself as one of the education activists on this campus. I am also active around other campaigns, such as the ones for marriage equality and against the racist Pauline Hanson. I believe that it is important to have a left wing SRC and that is best accomplished by electing activists to positions, particularly to the role of Education Officer, due to the past success of the education campaign and its personal relevance to students. I am willing to dedicate time and effort to the role, as education activism has been a constant theme throughout my last three years of university. VOTE LEFT ACTION to get an activist into the Education Office. WELFARE OFFICER Emily STRANGE (Left Action) Having an activist left wing SRC is vital for defending student rights. The fact is that students have never been able to advance our interests or keep what we have without campaigning against the university management and federal government. The corporate elite who run our campuses and lead the major political parties have an interest in entrenching a profit-driven education system modelled on the United States. They stand to increase their profit margins despite the harm that it will cause to students, particularly those from poor, working class and oppressed backgrounds.

3 To oppose this we need to show that students won't take this conservative agenda lying down, that means students mobilizing and protesting. This is how we have won in the past, when universities were centres of rebellion in the 60 s & 70 s we managed to win free higher education, and Tony Abbott s 2014 hack and slash budget was unable to get through attacks on students thanks to the tens of thousands hitting the streets across the country. Jay ZABAKLY (Ignite) My name is Jay Zabakly and I am running for the Welfare Officer of the 2017 SRC. I decided to run for WO because I have a genuine passion the welfare of those in my life. Whilst this has predominantly taken form of caring for the personal welfare of others, I know that I can translate this into energy for action to fight fervently for welfare rights. I would have two priorities as WO. Firstly, I would like to see the implementation of increased rest spaces, like the beanie bags in the library, to provide students with spaces to safely and comfortable take quick naps to recharge throughout the day. Secondly, I would utilise the access that Michael, our presidential candidate, has with the Chancellor through his position on the university council to reform caps. Michael has developed a strong repour with the top decision making individuals at the university. Amy MILLS (Activate) WOMEN'S OFFICER Aisling CANAVAN (Left Action) The fight for women s rights has always been a cornerstone for social movements throughout history, from worker s strikes to student rallies. These political environments have always worked to foster a supportive network of people striving side-by-side for a unified goal while also functioning as a space where women can have their voices heard clearly and without obstruction. The desire to continue this collective struggle should be something embodied by the Women s Officer alongside a deep and unmoving desire to fight for the rights of women, breaking down boundaries and, most importantly, nurturing a political space where nobody is discriminated against or belittled. This is an idea which women should fight for each day; to have our voices heard in the fight against the systems which have always tried to silence our anger and frustrations, to cultivate a world without limits. Alanna CONDON (Ignite) My name is Alanna Condon and I am running for the SRC Women s Officer for I am running for this position because I want to ensure that there is a strong, representative voice for all womenidentifying students at UNSW. I am deeply passionate about gender equality and equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their gender. I believe that gender discrimination stems from a lack of respect, but is something that can be combatted through collaboration, education and inclusivity. If elected, I plan to foster a welcoming and dynamic Collective that provides a wide variety of events and initiatives that make women s issues an open and important conversation at UNSW. My priority will be to ensure that the SRC addresses issues that directly affect women at UNSW and continues to foster an environment where the safety, wellbeing and experience of women at UNSW is of paramount concern. Lizzie BUTTERWORTH (Activate)

4 ENVIRONMENT OFFICER Bridget CAMA (Ignite) My name is Bridget Cama. I am a proud Wiradjuri and Fijian woman. I am passionate about advocating and fighting for issues that affect students, vulnerable groups and the wider community. I have been heavily involved in campaigns and advocacy around student issues, Indigenous issues and social justice, working as both the National NUS ATSI Officer 2015 and UNSW Indigenous Officer The nature of my previous work and experiences have intersected, and in some cases focused on many environmental issues and campaigns. Of particular concerns are issues including mining, fracking, climate change, cultural heritage and land management and protection and Indigenous land rights. I believe that in the position of environment officer I could bring my previous experiences to best provide a platform to grow and support a diverse environmental collective of students who are committed to social and environmental justice. James MCHUGH (Left Action) My name is James and I am an Arts student, majoring in English. An important issue that the SRC needs to take a stand on is opposing Islamophobia on campus, alongside combating figures who promote the fear of Muslim people in Australia, such as Pauline Hanson. The rise of Hanson has already seen an increase in hate crimes against Muslims. Student Unions have a responsibility to stand in solidarity with Muslims, students or otherwise, against racism. Also, it s the same politicians who want to promote hatred of Muslims who are trying to impose a profitdriven, US style education system, using racism to divert attention from this agenda. Left Action candidates organised protests against the racist Reclaim Australia marches in 2015, and a snap rally against Pauline Hanson being on the Q&A panel. I am running as a member of Left Action because we are the only group in the elections serious about opposing racism. So VOTE [1] LEFT ACTION! Breana MACPHERSON-RICE (Activate) INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' OFFICER Yifan LU (Ignite) My name is Yifan Lu and I m running for SRC International Student Officer. During the study in overseas these years, I found that there are two issues that the international student experiencing during their oversea life, one is language and culture barriers, these often occur at the students from non-english speaking countries who has different culture and background with the English speaking countries which will obstruct the intimate connection between them. The other one is increasing discrimination against foreign students which will give students a lot of pressures in their study and university life. If I elected, I will stand up to defend the international student body from political attacks and we need strong representation to ensure language barrier and discrimination do not prevent the extent to which we get involved in academic and co-curricular life. My priority as International Student Officer will be to assimilate international students into UNSW family and solve the problems they are facing. Remesha ABEYRATNE (Activate)

5 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES OFFICER Declan LEE (Ungrouped) My name is Declan and I am a third year student studying a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Since starting university in 2013, I have become extremely familiar in the differing levels of support students with disabilities have received at UNSW. I am currently on the UNSW Disability Champion s advisory group with a strong interest in disability rights and social justice issues. As such, I believe I am uniquely placed to represent students with disabilities across a wide range of areas. My vision for students with disabilities is to ensure they receive an equitable and inclusive access to education and I am committed to raising awareness of disability issues. I know firsthand that accessing university is really difficult students with a disability. This is why I believe that university should not be an isolating experience but an inclusive and enriching experience for all students involved. Jordan DALY (Ignite) I m running for Students with Disabilities Officer because UNSW students deserve the best possible support and quality of education. I m running to maintain the SRC s momentum. I m running because I know how difficult it is to maintain a work-life balance, especially with a mental illness. I m a fifth-year Commerce/Arts student and served as President of the Arts Society and SRC Councillor from I will work tirelessly and consultatively towards a diverse, equitable and accessible campus. Moreover, I would like improved teaching and the best student life for people attending UNSW. I plan on continuing collaborations between the Students with Disabilities Collective, other Collectives and other bodies in order to make sure they re effective advocates for students. This will make Arc, SEADU and the University itself as inclusive, supportive and affordable as possible. As Students with Disabilities Officer, I will fight for these issues on-campus and nationally. Alex LINKER (Activate) ETHNO-CULTURAL OFFICER Cindy EL SAYED (Activate) Tushaar GARG (Ignite) My name s Tushaar Garg and I m running to be your SRC Ethno-Cultural Officer in The vision I have for the Ethno-Cultural collective goes beyond simply providing a safe campus for culturally and linguistically diverse students, but having an impact in their day-to-day lives. My experience in various student-run Arc societies gives me the confidence to reinvigorate the collective, and make it more accessible to all students who identify as culturally diverse people. As part of my vision, I intend to hold highly interactive meetings, in which the true issues affecting campus diversity are identified. This comes as part of a plan to act on these issues, and be a force on campus through monthly events, which all students can appreciate. It is my ultimate goal to act for the students involved in 2017, and with your support, I will endeavour to do just that, through all of my actions. Jarri HAIDER (Left Action) Something as subtle as a veiled comment on your physical appearance, your accent; something as overt as these curries should go back to where they came from: racism is routine. I say this having faced both these scenarios within my first semester here at UNSW. What I had hoped were isolated instances, were sadly anything but that. Among my peers who, like me, are evidently not Australian enough, there is a silent understanding that these jokes, and these asides should be borne patiently. While I understand that the spectre of assimilation weighs more heavily in other spaces, university, I reckon, should not be one of them. Here, we are expected to learn that identity is more complex than just your name or your religion; that culture is not an insular, exclusive entity. My aim as Ethno-cultural officer will be to highlight these issues, and raise concerns about racism in the public sphere so that we can engage in a genuine conversation about them, and take concrete steps to ensure that UNSW is a safe space for people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.