Angus has been involved in student politics since fighting an increase in top-up fees in 2004, his first year at the University of Sydney.
He's taken a break from his busy schedule to tell us what he hopes to gain from the trip, a bit about the history, present and future of NUS Australia, as well as offering a few words of warning.
What are you hoping to learn from this trip, and what are your objectives?
Well basically this trip is to visit NUS UK, find out what new and innovative strategies NUS has used in its campaigning and member support. A bit of background, we’ve just come out of a decade of Conservative government in Australia, who have made a lot of changes that were not in the interest of students. Students’ unions are looking to rebuild, and reconnect, and start to do more positive, proactive things.
We’ve spent a decade reacting against changes that were not in our members’ interests, but now we have an opportunity to campaign positively for student friendly policy. We hope to look at what NUS UK has done, and try to find a recipe for success.
Could you tell us a little bit more about the history of NUS in Australia?
We’ve had a national body for students since the 1920s, it’s changed its name a few times, but we’ve been around for a long time. A very significant thing happened in 2005 when the government in Australia banned the funding of students' unions. That saw a third of students' unions collapse in 12 months, and it saw NUS (Australia)’s income cut by 80 per cent in the same time. As I said, though, we now have a new government, and are ready to rebuild again. That’s why I’m over here to find out what you guys do, and what ideas we can take back to Australia as a part of our rebuilding process.
What links exist between NUS Australia and NUS UK?
I’m told that there is a bit of a history of exchanges and the two organisations being in touch, but I think that one of the features of students’ unions is that you have a quick turnover of staff, and particularly of students’ union presidents, who only do it for a couple of years, and so, within five years you can lose a lot of connections you used to have internationally. So I’m told we used to do stuff together about five to ten years ago, but hopefully this will restart a closer working relationship together.
What are your priorities for NUS Australia?
Trying to restore funding and support for students' unions. We have a new government, so trying to direct them in a path of more student friendly policies, and trying to reverse some of the damage that the last 10 years did in Australia, particularly by taking away student support, such as living allowances, and by the destruction of student unions.
How did you get involved in the student movement?
I got involved at my campus, at the University of Sydney, back in 2004, when the campus students' union ran a campaign against increasing Hex fees, which is top-up fees here. The government was going to allow universities to increase top up fees by 25 per cent, and there was a big campaign that I got involved with in my first year of university. I then became president at the University, and am now the National President. Since I started at university it’s pretty much all I’ve done, so at the end of the year I’m returning to full-time study to finish my degree.
What would be the one thing you think NUS UK could take on board from NUS Australia?
I think the major area we could advise on is what to look out for and be prepared for, especially if a Conservative government is elected at the next election. There is a bit of a history of co-operation between the Conservative party in the UK and Australia and they copy a lot of policy. I'll be talking to Wes and the rest of the team about what has happened over the last 10 years, so NUS UK can be prepared, if a change of government decides it wants to take on some of the policies from Australia.