Thursday, 16 November 2023

University sector industrial action

Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:10): (606) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and the action that I seek is for the minister to meet with the vice-chancellor of RMIT. Minister, I was recently contacted by two students at RMIT who have been the subject of disciplinary action by the university. This disciplinary action followed their attendance at a National Tertiary Education Union staff strike. Their crime was talking to other students about staff working conditions and encouraging other students to join the strike.

Over the last few decades our unis and our TAFEs have changed. Academics and teachers are no longer being supported to deliver world-class education and produce groundbreaking research. Instead, greedy university boards and university executives are treating these workers like they are disposable. Casualisation has spread throughout this sector like a cancer, and now it seems when students dare to stand with their teachers and fight for better conditions they are punished.

Minister, the right to political activity and political speech is a fundamental pillar of our democracy. When students are punished for political speech it sends a chilling message. Be it on Palestine, the climate crisis or workers rights, it seems like there is a pattern this week of students being reprimanded for standing up for what is right. Minister, I sent a letter to your office two weeks ago, and I have yet to receive a response, but I will say it again: please meet with the vice-chancellor of RMIT to request that the university reverse their decision and clear these students’ names.