SRC Presidential Candidate Profile: Lauren Lancaster

Degree: Arts / Law, II

Faction: Grassroots

Lauren Lancaster is running on an impassioned and unapologetically left-wing platform that centres the role of activism in fighting for students. She enjoys the backing of the wider campus left, including Socialist Alternative, Solidarity, Switch, NLS (Labor Left) and Grassroots. If elected, Lancaster intends on studying two subjects per semester to make time for the SRC Presidency, a position rewarded by a $42,000 stipend.

Lancaster is hoping to complete a hat-trick of consecutive Grassroots Presidencies by following in the footsteps of Liam Donohoe and incumbent Swapnik Sanagavarapu. Like her predecessors, Lancaster promises vigorous advocacy to fight for student and staff interests.

It is likely that, as a member of the SRC’s General Executive, Lancaster possesses a more intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the SRC than her opponent Matthew Carter. She claims to have built relationships with SRC staff and to have gained an understanding of the organisation’s scope to enact change, which has consequently shaped an ambitious yet achievable suite of policies. Lancaster also claims involvement in many of the SRC’s victories in 2021, including the emphatic defeat of 12-week semesters, the implementation of Special Considerations reforms and the expansion of SRC legal services.

When asked how her Presidency might differ from Sanagavarapu’s, Lancaster pointed to an even greater emphasis on student activism - an emphasis that also sets her apart from Carter. As SRC Environment Officer and Co-convenor of the Enviro Collective, Lancaster played an instrumental role in leading USyd’s Climate Strike contingent and preceding Student General Meeting. According to Lancaster, “the people who fight for students on the streets are also the ones best placed to fight for students against university management and politicians.” Naturally, Lancaster’s focus on environmental issues extends to USyd’s investment in fossil fuels - she pledges to play an active role in the university’s soon-to-be-released Sustainability Project.

Yet Lancaster hopes to go beyond merely activism, citing the importance of lobbying as a complementary means of pushing for change. This approach can perhaps be best summarised by a statement she made in the Honi Soit debate: “put an activist in the boardroom and see what happens.”

Accusations of sexism in Grassroots and left-wing organising spaces were also addressed in the debate. While acknowledging the severity of the claims, Lancaster argued that, as a woman, she would be able to “support women’s collectives more than a male candidate” could.

Compared to Carter, Lancaster has adopted a more combative style of rhetoric and is openly critical of her opponent. She touts her independence as a distinct advantage to Carter who runs with Unity, the right-leaning student faction of the Australian Labor Party. Lancaster also condemned Carter’s backing by the Liberals, saying that their support of his campaign is “quite telling”.

This criticism has extended to accusations levelled at Carter, including labelling his campaign as “CV-stacking” and claiming he has made “backroom deals” to instate Liberal-aligned students into paid positions in the SRC. Such criticism is yet to be supported by evidence and represents a broader attempt to paint Carter as a career-minded pragmatist, despite his intention to pursue a career in musical performance.

It’s clear that Lancaster possesses the knowledge, drive and vision to continue Grassroots’ legacy. While she has, at times, resorted to levelling attacks at her opponent, this approach does not necessarily detract from her impressive resumé and credibility as a leader of student action. For those content with Grassroots’ stupol dominance, Lancaster appears a viable option to take up the mantle.