SRC Meeting Recap: the issues every USyd student should know about

Fabian Robertson covers the 3rd SRC meeting of 2021.

Fight against 12-week semesters escalates

The SRC is ramping up its campaign against the University’s proposal to move from the current model of 13-week semesters to 12-week semesters. Critics of the proposal claim that the alteration would unnecessarily increase workloads for staff and students, exacerbate stress, and compromise the quality of education. Education Officer Madeleine Clark (Socialist Alternative) warned that the proposal is a “move towards trimesters”.

The SRC is holding a staff and student forum in conjunction with the NTEU Casuals Network and the CPSU to discuss concerns surrounding 12-week semesters on April 22. Sydney University Education Action Group is organising a rally to protest the proposed change on April 29.

Building towards climate strike

The Enviro Collective has successfully collected 600 student signatures to action an SRC Student General Meeting (SGM) aimed at supporting the May 21 Climate Strikes. The SGM is scheduled for April 28 and requires the attendance of 200 undergraduate students to reach quorum (to qualify as an official and effective meeting). The SGM hopes to pass a motion to excuse staff and students from punishment for attending the strike. Follow the collective’s Facebook page for details.

Latham’s “heinous” Parental Rights Bill prompts quarrel

A motion was passed to oppose Mark Latham’s anti-trans Parental Rights Bill and any future Religious Freedoms Bill. Welfare Officer Owen Marsden-Readford (Socialist Alternative) called the Parental Rights Bill a “heinous attack on trans rights, workers’ rights, and the most vulnerable children of our society … it would be illegal to mention transgender issues in schools - trans teachers could be fired for simply existing”.

Councillor Mary Khoury (TIME for Commerce) dissented to the motion. “Trans people should be treated with the utmost respect … but enabling parental autonomy is not mutually exclusive with respecting transgender people. Thank you for bringing forward this motion - nothing but respect,” she said. Khoury’s placatory tone was to no avail.

“I don’t want your respect or thanks,” said Marsden-Readford. He went on to call Khoury’s behaviour “fucking disgraceful” and Mark Latham a “fucking bigot”.

Queer Officer Oscar Chaffey (Switchroots) called the dissent “disingenuous and ridiculous,” before telling Khoury to “get fucked”.

Marsden-Readford encouraged “anyone who gives a shit about queer rights” to attend Pride in Protest’s rally against the Parental Rights and Religious Freedoms Bills on April 17.

International workers’ day protest

Education Officer Tom Williams (Switchroots) promoted the May 1 workers’ rights protest at the historic Green Ban site Willow Grove. The protest demands an increase to the minimum wage, industry bargaining rights, free education from early childhood to university, a just transition to a carbon-neutral economy, and justice for all Aboriginal people. “It’s a movement that’s in the most direct interests of students and staff,” said Williams.

Environment Officer Deaglan Godwin (Socialist Alternative) contextualised the protest. “We can expect attacks from USyd following the appointment of Mark Scott - an ally of the liberals who spent 5 years attacking teachers’ salaries and staff unions.”

Stop black deaths in custody

A motion was passed to demand an end to black deaths in custody, abolish all cops, courts and prisons, and provide support for families affected by black deaths in custody. Welfare Officer Lia Perkins (Switchroots) referenced the 474 Aboriginal deaths in custody since the Royal Commission 30 years ago. “It’s state-sanctioned murder,” she said.

Social Justice Officer Edwina Stephenson (Socialist Alternative) called the deaths a “disgusting and outrageous indictment on Australian capitalism”.

The SRC encouraged attendance of the Stop Black Deaths in Custody rally this Saturday at 1 pm in front of Town Hall.

Solidarity with Myanmar

A motion was passed to stand in solidarity with Myanmar citizens fighting against undemocratic military occupation. Godwin called the situation “the most important and historic event right now” and applauded the efforts of workers and students in “stopping” the coup. “It shows that the working class has the power to rise up against capitalism and totalitarianism,” he said.

Sinophobia and xenophobia condemned

A motion was passed to condemn sinophobia and xenophobia in the context of rising anti-Asian racism around the world. The SRC pledged to connect with international students in fighting racism and called for a 30% decrease to international student fees.

Absentees:

Zeyu He

Qingchung Men

Margaret Thanos

Ibrahim Taha

Hektor Vineburg

Best zinger: Deaglan Godwin on Michael Spence: “the aristocratic fuckwit”.

Winners: the left

Losers: Mary Khoury, ‘Fuck’ Count