Vic: Student storm ALP headquarters over VSU

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2005
Vic: Student storm ALP headquarters over VSU

Up to 40 students have barricaded themselves into the Labor Party's Victorian headquarters
to protest the party's compromise on voluntary student unionism.

The students stormed the offices in West Melbourne following an anti-VSU rally through
the streets of Melbourne earlier today.

The rally was attended by around 1000 Melbourne tertiary students, activists and green groups.

National Union of Students education officer ANNA ROSE says most of the building's
20 staff have left after students began occupying an upstairs floor shortly after 4 pm
(AEST).

Ms ROSE says the students have decided to take their message directly to the Labor
Party after hearing opposition education spokeswoman JENNY MACKLIN'S explanation for the
ALP backflip at the rally.

The federal opposition earlier this week urged the government to compromise on plans
to scrap compulsory student union fees.

Opposition Leader KIM BEAZLEY says Labor is now prepared to agree that the portion
of student union fees which the government regards as funding political activities should
be voluntary.

AAP RTV jb/mp/goc/wz

KEYWORD: VSU VIC (MELBOURNE)

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