Melbourne University ALP Club

ALP Club now has its own website

2007-05-30T08:26:00.000+10:00

The ALP Club now has its own website.

You can see it here.

We'll see you over there.

ED CONFERENCE FUNDRAISER

2005-05-27T18:06:00.000+10:00

“State of the Union"
A Film by Gary Newman about the 2003 MUSU Elections

Friday 3 June
6:30pm for a 7:30pm start

The Green Building, 60 Leicester Street Carlton
$10 Waged, $5 for students
Beer and Wine available
Tickets available on the night

URGENT CAMPAIGN FOR ALL SUPPORTERS OF A HUMANITARIAN ASYLUM SEEKERS POLICY

2005-05-27T17:39:00.000+10:00

TELL FEDERAL LABOR: SUPPORT PETRO GEORGIOUS'S PRIVATE MEMBER'S BILL AS A STEP TOWARDS A MORE COMPASSIONATE APPROACH TO ASYLUM SEEKERS
www.labor4refugees.org/campaign

Liberal backbencher Petro Georgiou will introduce two Private Member's Bill
to the Commonwealth Parliament which aim to fundamentally change Australia's
system of processing asylum seekers. These proposals would end indefinite
immigration detention, release children from detention and allow refugees
who have been granted temporary protection to live in the community
permanently.

Clearly this represents a significant step forward, but Labor has so far
refused to offer full support for the Georgiou Private Member's Bill. You
can help! Visit: www.labor4refugees.org/campaign/ to send a message directly
to the Federal ALP: Labor should support these Bills as a step towards a
more compassionate policy for asylum seekers!
All supporters of the campaign for a humanitarian approach to refugees and
asylum seekers should get active in this campaign.

2005-05-25T11:25:00.000+10:00

Tom's letter to Gaving Jennings:

The Hon. Gavin Jennings, MLC
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs,

I am writing in regards to the situation which has come about between the Victorian Museum and the Dja Dja Wurrung people. My name is Thomas Arup and I am a Labor party member and one the executive of the Melbourne University ALP club as Campaign’s Officer. I am writing to implore you to take action and uphold the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Heritage Protection Act of 1984, which has enabled the Dja Dja Wurrung people to put an emergency declaration upon the bark etchings and the emu figure on loan from the British Museum. I ask that you uphold this legislation and allow these pieces remain in Victoria.

I write with some urgency as I have just heard of the Federal courts decesion. I believe the ruling, that the cycle of emergency declerations cannot be upheld by law, does not override the legislation but rather just stop the declerations. It places you in an incredible important situation in keeping the etchings in Australia and I plead with you to uphold the legislation as quickly and strongly as you can. It is upon you as the minister to uphold good legislation which was implemented for worthy reasons.

Firstly, the Dja Dja Wurrung people have a right to be in possession of their cultural heritage, a heritage which has been stolen by the British museum. This right is the basis for the legislation in which they have claimed the bark etchings. While I understand there is a legal contract between the British museum and the Victorian museum, the law is also geared to protecting the rights of indigenous groups and their history in ways contract law cannot. I am sure you also understand that cultural heritage is not just about the physical manifestation in the form of these etchings, but rather tied into the belief system of indigenous people of this nation. These pieces are a link to their ancestors, a spiritual link, and it is wrong deny them this link.

Secondly the British museum has no right to hold these pieces, which were taken without consent of the Dja Dja Wurrung, and this, in a better world, would constitute theft. The British museum will not place these pieces on exhibition, and in fact didn’t even know that they had possession of them for many decades. Furthermore there has only been two research papers written on the barks since they have been held at the British museum, and this does not constitute a reason to continue to hold them when compared to the importance they have here in Victoria.

Thirdly as an active Victorian citizen I believe they are part of my cultural heritage, not just for the Dja Dja Wurrung people. They represent the past of Victoria, a part of history which is often overlooked, that of the Indigenous people and the occupation of Westerners. It would be incredible if these pieces, unique in their rarity, would be exhibited publicly, and would go some way to broadening the average Victorian’s knowledge about the Aboriginal past of the state.

Furthermore this small symbolic act to the Dja Dja Wurrung, would constitute a symbolic gesture towards the Aboriginal community, something lacking in today’s political environment on both sides of politics. If the Government needs to buy out the contract between the British museum and the Victorian museum (the figure I have been informed is 3.2 million dollars) then it would be a small price to pay to reclaim part of Victorian heritage and many other governments have payed much larger sums for other works. This sum is also little when compared to the enormous benefit it would have for the Dja Dja Wurrung people.

Finally if you were to act in favour of the Dja Dja Wurrung people, it would constitute a political gain for the Labor party in Indigenous affairs, and furthermore a win for the left side of the Labor party. And while this shouldn’t be the primary focus of acting in this case it would be a good off shoot. Publicly you would also be bringing home a piece of Victoria that Victorians have not been able to enjoy. You have an incredible opportunity to provide this for the public.

I write this with the backing of my ALP club colleagues who are strong active Labor party members, and strong active members of the left, and I look forward to your reply. I will continue to take a very personal interest in this case and inform my party colleagues.

Yours Sincerely,

Thomas Arup
Melbourne University ALP Club Campaigns Officer.

2005-05-24T11:40:00.000+10:00

That's right folks the blog is back in action again.... so what a better thing to start off a new round of posting with an advertisement for our upcoming event

What: End of Semester Pub Night with BOARD GAMES!!!!

When: Thursday 26th May (that's this Thursday)

Where: PA's (The pub on Grattan st, opposite uni)

Time: 6pm onward

Not only are we giving you a chance to swill beer with your fellow comrades, it's also a chance put your board game prowess to the test

That's right board games and beer

What could be better!

BYO Board Games

2005-02-21T21:14:00.000+11:00

O-Week Activities

Thursday 24 Feb

BBQ Lunch with Jenny Macklin, Deputy Leader of the ALP
2:30 - 3:30PM, South Lawns

Friday 25 Feb

Casual Drinks @ Deep Dish Lounge
3PM onwards

2005-01-28T10:34:00.000+11:00

Politics in the Pub

with Young Labor Left

Relaxed drinks with other, young labor left members, supporters & people interested in Young Labor Left & our activities.

Speakers:

Brian Daley, Secretary, Victorian Branch LHMU & President, Victorian Branch of the ALP

Jenny Macklin, Federal Member for Jaga Jaga, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Education, Training, Science & Research.

Friday 28 January, from 7PM @ Trades Hall Bar, Crn Lygon and Victoria Streets.

See you there.

2004-11-22T17:19:00.000+11:00

Committee By-election

Congratulations to Steve Mercer for being elected to the ALP Club committee.

This result was announced by the by-election returning officer, Shasta Stevic, at the last ALP Club General Meeting.

2004-10-24T20:38:00.000+10:00

2004 ISRC Election Victory for the Left

Provisional Results from ISRC Election

Activities: Sebastian Saliba and Scott Gavens
Arts: Katie Sfetkidis
Chair: Paul Donegan
Clubs and Societies: Clancy Dobbyn and Ginny Lin
Education (Academic Affairs): Dave McDonald
Education (Public Affairs): Lizzie O'Shea
Environment: Imogen Hamel-Green and Bill Bretherton
Farrago: Jim Round, Tom Rigby, Clare Chandler and Zoe Holman
Queer: Alex Ettling and Tracey Boyd
Secretary: Katie Wood
Welfare: Felicity Grey
Women's: Shasta Stevic and Jordy Sliverstein

University Council: Ben Barnett

MUSASC:
Caitlyn O'Dowd
Shasta Stevic
Paul Pallot
Adam Wieladek
Alex White
Georgia Letten

You will notice of course that with the exception of the Liberal Club campaign manager Georgia Letten (also incumbent Women's Officer), the left took every Office Bearer position and Committee spot.

Without a declaration from the University, the final numbers aren't certain, but reports from scrutineers indicate that the left picked up around 65% of the primary vote.

Congratulations to our wonderful campaign leaders, Susie Munro and Paul Erickson, and to the dedicated ALP Club campaigners who turned up every day at 8AM and worked hard until close of polls each day, in particular Shasta Stevic, Jessie Giles, Josh Cusack, Caitlyn O'Dowd, Georgia Poletti, Will Ross, Dave McDonald, Adam Wieladek, Ben Barnett, Graeme Cuxton, Katie Sfetkidis, and Tim O'Halloran (and to anyone else I've forgotten).

Thank you also to the other lefties who campaigned hard during election week and contributed to our stunning success.

2004-10-10T16:28:00.000+10:00

2003 STUDENT ELECTIONS DOCUMENTARY

STATE OF THE UNION
A film by Gary Newman following the 2003 MUSU elections

WORLD PREMIERE

6:30pm
Grand Buffet Hall, Union House
Entry is Free!

And you can catch up with ALP Club members before the show at INU Bar an hour before.

See you there!

2004-10-02T21:57:00.000+10:00

ALP Club General Meeting

There will be an important General Meeting for the ALP Club this Tuesday 5th October.

When: Tuesday 5 October, 1PM

Where: John Medley Rm 339.

What: A meeting to discuss the next few weeks, including the Federal Election and student interim SRC elections.

All members welcome.

2004-09-26T20:09:00.000+10:00

ALP Club Movie Night Fundraiser

The ALP Club will be holding a pre-student election movie night fundraiser on Thursday 30th of September (that's next Thursday!), as part of the attempt to return progressive forces to Union House.

The details are as follows:

Movie: "The Corporation"
When: Thursday 30th September, starts 9PM (free drinks and nibbles from 8PM)
Where: Nova Cinema, Lygon St, Carlton, in the foyer downstairs
Cost: $16 (includes movie, drinks and nibblies)

You can get details and tickets from Georgia Poletti (g.poletti@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au).

Hope to see you there!

2004-09-09T16:09:00.000+10:00

General Meeting: Wednesday 15 September

There will be an important ALP Club General Meeting next week on Wednesday 15 September, at 1PM at the Babel Building, Room G04.

As more details about the new student union arrive from the Student Representation Working Group emerge, it is necessary that the ALP Club organise for the upcoming student representative elections in October.

All club members welcome.

2004-08-29T11:27:00.000+10:00

General Meeting

The ALP Club will be holding a general meeting on Tuesday 31 August, at 1PM in John Medley room 339.

All members are welcome.

It is expected that there will also be an informal meeting to discuss the new draft student union constitution on the same day. (More details to follow.)

2004-08-08T13:28:00.000+10:00

Burnside on Campus

Innugural Jim Cairns Memorial Lecture

Julian Burnside QC, outspoken refugee, civil rights and asylum seekers advocate, will be giving the first Jim Cairns Memorial Lecture.

Details
Tuesday 17 August
6:30-8PM
RMIT Room 82
Level 3
Building 56
Free Entry

Organised by the Melbourne University ALP Club.

In Association with the Australian Fabian Society, RMIT ALP Club, Monash University ALP Club and La Trobe ALP Club.

For further details contact Caitlyn (cait_05@hotmail.com) or Alex (aw@vurt.net).

2004-08-05T11:23:00.001+10:00

You are invited to

FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE UNION

A play written and Devised by Emily Andersen and the cast

Starring: Emily Andersen, Steve Brown, Will Chapman, Tanya Mammone, Ben Barnett, Ashling Cardwell, Steven Denyer and Andy Arnold.

Being performed as part of '3D Fest 2004'Fresh, Raw and ready to Go! A Drama Festival for Tertiary Students

Fourteen new works by emerging writers and theatre makers

Presented by Playbox Theatre Company & Victoria University

Details
Friday August 6th at 7.30pm
Performing Arts Theatre, Beanland Building Victoria University Footscray Nicholson Campus Buckley Street, Footscray
Doors open at 7pm
Enquiries: 9685 5165

'Friday Night at the Union' will be followed by three other plays.

“Friday Night at the Union”

Cameron Oakes finished his term as President of Batman University Student Union shrouded in controversy, accused of sending the union broke by turning the organic food co-op into a failed dot com venture.

Fast forward to April the next year, and the University is holding fresh student elections, amid an inquiry into Cameron’s conduct.

The student left faction is making a desperate bid to reclaim the union, while the right-wing are campaigning to hold onto their power.

So when the two groups meet at the Union Hotel Friday night before the elections, it’s going to get ugly.

ALP Club Fundraiser

If you'd like to help the ALP Club's financial situation while supporting our talented friends in the play "Friday Night at the Union" please join us for drinks and nibblies before the play.

$10 gets you wine / soft drink and nibblies, plus your play ticket.

RSVP to Jacky on 0409 532 350

General Meeting Update

Due to a clash with the Student Representation Working Group Consultation period, the ALP Club General Meeting was posponed.

Notice will go out for the new time, date and place soon. Stay tuned.

2004-08-02T12:54:00.000+10:00

Students for Change Trivia Night

SFC, the lovable, cuddly lefties behind Activate and the morris dancing posters, are holding a Trivia Night tomorrow night (Tuesday 3rd August).

In great ALP Club style, we will be attending en masse to get our hands on as many prizes as we can.

The details are:

SFC Trivia Night
Prince Aldreds (on Grattan Street)
Tuesday 3 August, 7:30PM
Cost: $5

If you are interested in being a part of the ALP Club contingent, give me a call (Alex: 0403 694 397).

2004-07-30T18:16:00.000+10:00

Notice of General Meeting

That's right buckeroos! The ALP Club will be holding its first official General Meeting this Wednesday 4th of August. It will take place at 1PM in the Joe Napolitano B room on Second Floor of Union House.

An email went over the ALP Club egroup on Wednesday, which outlined some important issues that will be discussed at the meeting.

We encourage as many people as possible to attend this General Meeting, especially new members, as a way to become involved with the club and meet new friends and comrades.

If you did not receive the email regarding the General Meeting, please contact alpclub@gmail.com as soon as possible.

Bullsheet #8

Issue 8 of the Bullsheet is due out at some point next week. Submissions and contributions for #8 will be accepted up until 5PM Monday 2nd August.

The Bullsheet is a contribution based club newsletter. It needs your support. If you have anything you would like to contribute, have seen a great movie or play which you want to review, if you want to share a recipee, comment on current events in Victoria, Australia, abroad or within the university, please consider sending it in. Submissions can be sent to saintalex@gmail.com.

2004-07-24T14:13:00.000+10:00

Semester 2 Club Update: Weeks 1 and 2

----------
ALP Club BBQ
----------

The ALP Club will be holding a BBQ this Wednesday (28th July) at 1PM in the Old Geology Courtyard.

There will be sausages, bread, sauce, balloons, and vegetarian options.

A gold coin donation is appreciated.

----------
General Meeting
----------

Our first official General Meeting for Semester 2 will be held on Wednesday 4th of August at 1PM, in the Joe Napolitano B room in Union House (2nd Floor).

2004-07-18T15:35:00.000+10:00

ALP Club Caucus

The ALP Club will be holding its first caucus this Monday 19 July at 5PM, at Deep Dish.

Topics for discussions include:

Report Backs:
Education Conference
Student Representation Working Group (Constitution Committee)

Constitutional Stuff

Campaigns
Education Campaign (EAG)
Federal Election
MUSU Student Elections

Activities

Call Josh (0415 292 599) or Caitlyn (0408 334 147) for further details.

2004-07-07T09:18:00.000+10:00

Welcome back to the ALP Club blogspot. Hopefully your exams have gone well and your holidays are relaxing and fun.

------------
ALP Club Activities for Second Semester
------------

For details, email alpclub@gmail.com

Disorientation Week

The ALP Club will have a stall on Clubs and Societies Day, Friday 23rd of July for most of the day. This will be in or around Union House. Look out for people in red ALP Club t-shirts.

Pub Night

From 6PM on the same Friday (23rd), we will be having a pub night at the Clyde.

ALP Club BBQ

At 1PM on Wednesday 28th July, there will be an ALP Club BBQ. There will be a gold coin donation, and vegetarian options (if you are so inclined).

General Meeting

On 4th August, the ALP Club will have its first general meeting for Semester Two to discuss the Federal Election, MUSU, and the on going higher education campaign.

If you would like more information on any of these events, email alpclub@gmail.com or call Josh Cusack (President) on 0415 292 599.

2004-06-22T11:45:00.000+10:00

-------------
Carlton Branch Fundraiser
-------------

Be Warned ... But not Alarmed

Be Prepared ... No Relaxed and Comfortable

The "Mammoth" Event for 2004: The Election Special (Helping out the Melbourne and McMillan election campaign)

A football-free Friday night Fundraiser

Trivia Quiz, Auction, Karaoke and Singing Politicians.

Hosted by our Melbourne Pollies.

Join them and bring a singing voice, brain for the quiz and moines for drinks and raffles.

Details
When: 7:30pm, Friday 25th June (THIS FRIDAY!)
Where: La Notte Restaurant, 140 Lygon St, Carlton
Cost: $20 per head

The ALP Club will be organising a table. Contact Alex on 0403 694 397 or aw@vurt.net if you are interested in attending.

2004-06-16T12:52:00.000+10:00

-------------
Left Drinks
-------------

An invitation to all State and Federal Left Caucus Members and staff, Left union members and officials, Young Lefties and student activists, comrades, true believers and fellow travellers.

Details:
When: Friday 18th June @ 6:00pm
Where: Portland Hotel, Cnr Russell St and Lt Collins St, CBD

A limited tab will be placed on the bar.

It'd be great to see as many ALP Club members there as possible.

2004-06-07T15:18:00.000+10:00

-------------
Celebrate the Republic this Queen's Birthday
-------------

Young Labor Victoria will be hosting Nicola Roxon (Shadow Attorney General) this Thursday evening to talk about the prospects for an Australian Republic.

Thursday 10th June @ 7:30pm
Republika Bar, 132 Smith Street Collingwood
Guest Speaker: Nicola Roxon (Shadow Attorney-General)

It would be great to see any member of the ALP Club to come to this event.

Topics of conversation with Nicola Roxon include the Republic and any other issue covered by her brief as Shadow Attorney General, including her (and Mark Latham's) controversial stand on gay marriage.

For more information, contact Ben Barnett (bjbarnett@bigpond.com).

-------------
Bizarro Farrago #2 Movie Night Fundraiser
-------------

That's right, after the runaway success of the first issue of Bizarro Farrago, a second issue is being prepared. But gems like Bizarro don't come for free; they don't even come cheap.

Which is why we need all of you to come to the Bizarro Farrago Movie Night Fundraiser

What: Film: 'Supersize Me' + beer + wine + hors dóuvres
When: Thursday June 17th @ 8:30pm
Where: Nova Cinema Foyer (380 Lygon St, Carlton)
Entry: $13.00
Why: Because Bizzaro Farrago needs you (and your pesos)!

Want to find out more about Bizzaro Farrago before clearing the 17th from your social caledndar? Then, check this out: their website .

2004-05-31T11:58:00.000+10:00

The new committee met last night, at a pleasant little Japanese restaurant on Lygon Street.

Amongst the revels, the various committee positions were divided up.
They are (in no particular order):

President - Josh Cusack
Treasurer / Fundraising - Jacky Bailey
Activities Officer - Georgia Poletti
Secretary / Membership - Caitlyn O'Dowd
Campaigns Officer - Adam Wieladek
Publications Officer - Alex White
Women's Officer - Jessie Giles

The new committee is in a unique position to lead the club at the time when Melbourne University is undergoing one of its most significant changes in over a decade. The creation of a new student union, the ongoing Education Campaign, and the upcoming Federal Election will all be central concerns for the new committee.

If any ALP Club member wants to contact any of the committee, just email the club's email address, and the committee member will get back to you.

We plan on having a general meeting not too far into the future (after exams), and there will likely be a bevy of events to start out Second Semester.

2004-05-26T12:23:00.000+10:00

After the sterling success of the Young Labor Tour of Parliament, you can enjoy yet another ALP Club News Update!

-------------
ALP Club AGM
-------------

The ALP Club Annual General Meeting will be held this Friday, at 1PM.

The AGM will debate and decide much needed constitutional ammendments, and will elect a new Committee. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend and take part of the debate.

For details, contact Paul Erickson (outgoing President, p.erickson@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au) or Susie Munro (outgoing Secretary, stardrifter@joinme.com).

-------------
More Bullsheet
-------------

By Friday, members should have received a copy of the Bullsheet Issue 5 in the post. If you don't get one in the next few days, then please email me (aw@vurt.net) and I'll send one out to you.

The Bullsheet Issue 6 is being compliled this weekend. If you want to contribute something for this issue, the deadline is Saturday night. You can send in anything, from articles to opinion pieces to movie or book reviews. If you don't make the Issue 6 deadline, the deadline for Issue 7 is the 12th of June.

-------------
National Union of Students: Education Conference
-------------

The NUS Education Conference starts around the 28th of June and goes until about the 2nd of July.

The Education Conference is where activists from all political persuasions come together to discuss and debate the issues of the day, mainly revolving around education issues, but also things like refugees, the environment, the Iraq War, Land Rights and more. This year it is taking place in Sydney.

We encourage all ALP Club members to attend; a bunch of us plan making the journey. If you are interested in attending, then contact Ben Barnett (0409 324 267).

2004-05-20T10:14:00.000+10:00

----------
Tour of Parliament
----------

Just a short note to let you know that Young Labor is hosting a Tour of Parliament.

Details are as follows:

Tuesday 25th May
5:00 for a 5:15pm start
Meet on the steps of Parliament House
Spring St, Melbourne

For further details, give Ben Barnett a call (0409 324 267).

2004-05-11T16:00:00.000+10:00

Welcome to another somewhat belated edition of the ALP Club Update! First off, I would like to congratulate everyone from the Club on the great result in last week's Constitutional Working Group election. The ALP Club put in a great effort, with the results being fantastic for the Club and for the Left generally, particularly by Melbourne Uni Standards.

--------------------
A New Student Union!
--------------------

As noted above, three members of the ALP Club have been elected to the Working Group which will consult with students and the Uni over the next 6 months, and design a new Student Union Constitution for Melbourne Uni. They are:

Emily Andersen
Jacky Bailey
Paul Erickson

The Club is now well positioned to take the lead in the process, which will provide every student on campus and every member of the ALP Club with an opportunity to have their say on how our student Union should function.

--------------------
Labor Senator for Victoria Gavin Marshall at Melbourne Uni next week!
--------------------

The Melbourne Uni Peace Group is holding a two day forum on the future of Iraq and its conditions under the occupation next week, with speakers from the Greens, the ALP and other groups visiting the campus on Monday and Tuesday .

Victorian Labor Senator Gavin Marshall, who has been a guest speaker for the ALP Club during 2002 and 2003, will be speaking next Tuesday on the ALP's position on Iraq and Mark Latham's pledge to bring our troops home by Christmas. This event is being supported by the ALP Club, and I would encourage club members to get along and hear about Labor's position from Sen. Marshall.

Monday the 17th, Greens Senator Kerry Nettle
1pm, in the South Theatre of the Architecture Building

Tuesday the 18th, ALP Victorian Senator Gavin Marshall 1pm
Tuesday, same building (Architecture) James Crow Theatre, 1st floor.

For more information, call Sharne from the MU Peace Group on 0414 976 573, or call Paul on 0421 104 843.

--------------------
2004 ALP Club AGM
--------------------

The ALP Club's 2004 Annual General Meeting is coming up, so stay tuned for details. The date will be settled soon, and at the Annual General Meeting we will be elected a new Committee to run the club during 2004/2005. If you are interested in being an Office Bearer in the Club (ie President, Secretary, Treasurer, Women's Officer, Campaign's Officer etc) then keep an eye out for details on when the AGM will be and how to nominate.

--------------------
Meeting Next Week
--------------------

There will be an ALP Club General Meeting next week at some stage to debrief from the elections, finalise our plans for the rest of the semester and beginning of Semester 2, and open nominations for the AGM. A mailout will be done later this week to let everyone know of the details.

--------------------
Fundraiser for Susan Davies tomorrow night!
--------------------

Susan Davies, the Labor candidate for the seat of Latrobe in the upcoming Federal election, is having a fundraising event this coming Wednesday 12 May. The event will feature ACTU President Sharan Burrow and State Attorney-General Rob Hulls. The function is upstairs at the Imperial Hotel (opposite state parliament) and will run from 6.00-8.30. Cost is $15 for concessions and drinks at bar prices.

A few of the members of the ALP Club will be going along, so if you're interested give Josh a call 0415 292 599.

2004-05-06T13:03:00.000+10:00

-----------
Election Results Announced
-----------

The results of the election that ended on Monday 3 May have been announced.

Check here for the official website.

Election of Members to the Student Representation Working Group

Undergrads
BAILEY, Jacqueline (ALP Club)
BARENDSE, Julian (Young Liberal)
BARRIGOS, Rebecca (Socialist Alternative)
COLEMAN, Louise (Students for Change)
DONEGAN, Paul (Students for Change)
ERICKSON, Paul (ALP Club)
JERMYN, Christopher (Young Liberal)
KLOESTER, Ben
LEE, Huay Mei (International Association)
LEE, John
LEE, Peng Han
LIN,Ginny
RANKIN, James (Labor [Unity] Club)
RAPKE, Jason (AUJS, Australian Union of Jewish Students)
SILVERSTEIN, Ben (Students for Change)

Postgrads
Emily Andersen (ALP Club)
Danielle Thornton (Socialist Alternative)
Lachlan Williams (UMPA Prez, Independent)

Election to the MU Student Union Board of Directors

DONEGAN, Paul (Students for Change)
D'SOUZA, Rohan (Young Liberals)
WILLIAMS, Lachlan (UMPA Prez, Postgrad Rep)

(Updated 7th May)

2004-05-05T10:30:00.000+10:00

----------------
Special Speaker: Dr David Wright Neville
----------------

Monday May 17 at 6.30pm

--- analyst, lecturer and media consultant ---

David will be addressing the issue of the month:

‘Australia and the War on Terror’

at

La Notte Café - 140 Lygon St, Carlton

Until March 2002, Dr David Wright Neville was the Senior Terrorism Analyst with the Office of National Assessments (ONA), the body which sifts through all of Australia’s intelligence data and provides advice directly to the Prime Minister. Dr David Wright Neville rejoined Monash University’s School of Political and Social Inquiry in 2002. He is also a media consultant for 3AW and the ABC.

ALL WELCOME!!!

Enquiries – Sean Carroll, Carlton Branch Secretary – 0410 542 138

or

Alex White - 0403 694 397

----------------
Chifley Lecture: Carmen Lawrence
----------------

The Melbourne University ALP Club held the first Chifley Lecture in a decade, commemorating fifty years of the event. Carmen Lawrence, Federal ALP President addressed a crowd over around 100 people, including students, staff and the general public on the topic of "Education: A Public or Private Benefit?" Senior Vice-President Barry Jones introduced Carmen and the Chifley Lecture, and the motion of thanks was moved by Dr Race Matthews, the Secretary of the Australian Fabian Society. Paul Erickson, ALP Club president chaired the meeting. Also present was the Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, Ms Fay Surtees Marles

The lecture was very well received by all present. Following the address, Carmen took questions from club members and others, after which the meeting was adjourned to Lambs on Lygon, a rather seedy kebab restaurant recommended by the esteemed Dr Matthews, where informal discussion took place with Carmen and others.

The evening was enjoyed by all. The hope was expressed that last night would see the reinvigouration of free and critical thought at Melbourne Uni, and that the Chifley Lectures would continue well into the future.

----------------
Tour of Parliament
----------------

The ALP Club Tour of Parliament has been unfortunately post-poned until second semester due to the inconvenient release of the State Budget.

While we mourne the fact that we will have to wait for another few months to get the Parliament House tour, we can also celebrate the budget that has kept us away.

The Bracks Government Budget has for the first time acted on the gross student poverty crisis that is gripping Victoria (and Australia) by increasing the tertiary student transport concession by $79. This means that instead of paying $87 for a tertiary transport card, tertiary students as of July 1st will only have to pay $8 to get concession transport. Over 39,000 tertiary students will benefit from this improvement.

2004-04-27T12:09:00.000+10:00

---------------
Elections!
---------------

Elections are now on!

If you have any time free this week or next (27 April - 3 May) and want to help out campaigning, please contact someone from the ALP Club (such as Paul Erickson, Jacky Bailey, or Ben Barnett).

You can help by putting up posters, handing out how to votes, and most importantly:

Getting your friends to vote

To vote for the ALP Club, log onto the online ballot page, record your Voting Access Number, then click on the candidates in the following order. You don't need give a preference to every candidate, only ALP Candidates.

For the Student Representation Working Group

1. Paul Erickson
2. Jacky Bailey
3. Josh Cusack
4. Jessie Giles
5. Dave McDonald
6. Shasta Stevic

For the MUSULtd Board

1. Alex White

The ALP also endorses the following people for the MUSULtd Board
2. Paul Donegan
3. Rebecca Barrigos
4. Kathryn Wood

It is vital that as many people vote as possible, so ask your friends to vote as well.

---------------
Bullsheet #4
---------------

Bullsheet #4 is ready and will be distributed from Wednesday onwards. If you want to help with that, or have something to include, give me (Alex) a call on 0403 694 397.

2004-04-25T21:15:00.000+10:00

-------------
Club Meeting
-------------

Just a reminder that the upcoming elections for the Constitutional Working Group and for the Student Representatives on the MUSU Limited Board are running from Tuesday 27th April until May 3rd.

So, there is an ALP Club meeting tomorrow (Monday) at 5:15 in Room 109 of the Alice Hoy Building. All ALP Club members are encouraged to attend to find more details about the election and how members can assist during the election week. Apologies for the late notice!

If you can’t attend the meeting, but would like to help, feel free to give either Paul Erickson (0421 104 843) or Susie Munro (0401 736 757) a call.

Alternatively, if you see anyone during the week wearing a red ALP Club t-shirt, just come up to them and ask how you can be of assistance. The ALP Club will also have a table during the elections and so you can also approach the table to find out more and lend a hand.

Hope all are well and see you during the election period.

2004-04-22T15:08:00.000+10:00

News Update:

------------
Fundraiser
------------

Better late than never.

The Fundraiser is happening tonight (Thursday 22 April), at the John Curtin Hotel on Lygon St (opposite Trades Hall), starting from 7:30PM. There will be raffles, great music, dancing, conversation, auctions and other hilarity.

It is definitely the social event of the month! Don't miss out.

Entry: $5

------------
Elections!
------------

That's right, elections are back again, and start next Tuesday 27 April until 3 May.

The ALP Club is contesting these elections in coalition with Students for Change, under the umbrella of Ignite.

The official UniMelb details of the election can be found here.

The Ignite ticket website can be found here. (Special thanks to Janice Law for her invaluable help in getting the site together!)

There is an election working-bee this Sunday (25 April). For information on how to get involved, just email info@igniteme.net, or the Melbourne Uni Alp Club; you can also call Paul Erickson (0421 104 843) or Susie Munro (0401 736 757).

------------
Chifley Lecture
------------

On May 4th, Carmen Lawrence will be delivering a lecture at Melbourne University. The lecture is entitled:

"Education: Public versus Private Benefit?"

The Chifley Lecture starts at 6:30 and goes until 8PM.

It is occuring at the Copland Theatre, in the Economics and Commerce building. Call Alex (0403 694 397) or Shasta (0438 532 816) for more details.

------------
May Day Function: Young Labor Left
------------

On May Day (May 1st), there will be a BBQ at Birrarung Marr Park next to Federation Square with a mystery guest speaker on the traditions of the day. Specials will include Socialist Sausages, Emancipation Eggplant, and maybe some Revolutionary Red Wine.

This will go from 11:30am to 1pm, when we will join the building Unions and others at the main rally at 1pm.

I encourage all ALP Club members to come along and get involved in Young Labor Left (you don't need to be a Labor Party member).

--------------
Tour of Parliament
--------------

There will be a tour of Parliament one or two weeks after the elections. More details will be announced closer to the date. Most likely in the first or second week of May.

2004-04-16T12:11:00.000+10:00

A reminder for the:

---------------
Brunswick Branch Trivia Night
---------------

Raising funds for Susan Davies (Federal Labor Candidate for La Trobe
and
the Moreland Council Elections 2004

Where: West Brunswick Tennis Club
425 Victoria Street, Brunswick

When: This Saturday Night (17th April), 7PM

Cost: $15 for ALP Club members, $18 Concession, $20 Full

If you have any questions about the Trivia Night, or want more information, call me (Alex) on 0403 694 397

2004-04-08T14:02:00.000+10:00

G'day all.

-------------
Comments are available
-------------

The ALP Club blog has a "comments" function enabled. This means that you are able to post comments and ask questions directly onto the blog.

All you need to do is hit the orange "comments" link just below each entry. This will cause a pop-up to appear. You will then be able to post your comments.

Posting comments makes your over-worked and underpaid comrades feel appreciated and loved, so be generous with your clicking.

2004-04-06T13:35:00.000+10:00

UPDATE

--------------
Against the Fees: Melbourne Uni Council Action
--------------

On Monday, 400 students from Melbourne University voiced their dissent and opposition to the proposed 25% HECS increases. They gathered at 2PM at the publicised location for the University Council meeting (Old Law). The Uni Council has previously made it clear that it was entirely unwilling to listen to student concerns, or to engage in a dialogue with the students protesting the fee hikes.

This issue of correct and open governance of Melbourne Uni is a real and serious problem. The University is entirely unaccountable and unwilling to deal with its key stakeholder, the student body. They have fully exploited the demise of the largest student union in the country, and sidelined the motion proposed by the only student representative on the council, and also ignored concerns raised by the Melbourne Uni Post Graduate Association (UMPA). Universities, it is worth pointing out, exist entirely because of students. It is students who are the lifeblood of a university. For our emotional, social and (unfortunately most importantly) our economic investment in university, we, more than any other stakeholder, deserve a voice in the decision making processes of the university. All significant decisions made by the university should be made in equal partnership with the administration, the staff and the students of that university.

Melbourne University has demonstrated that any relationship between administration and students is unequal and worthless. Their meeting moved to an undisclosed location rather than legitimately address the concerns of a significant representation of our students. Their decision making took place covertly and behind closed doors, and the result is that there will now be a significant increase in the financial burden for the student body.

It was unfortunate that students had to resort to an occupation. Let me emphasise that occupations and protests are always the last resort taken by students.

Prior to this Monday, representatives from student unions across Australia, and individual students, sent Senate Submissions to an inquiry on Federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson's "Backing Australia's Future" legislation. The vast majority of student submissions spoke against the legislation because of its dangerously regressive objectives. The Howard Government claims to be about lowering prices for consumers, yet the legislation allowed for and encouraged an increase in fees. This is on top of over 100 tax increases since coming into power in 1996, and many cuts to student benefits. The Howard government again showed no signs of addressing the concerns of the people who their legislation would affect. The "Backing Australia's Future" legislation was passed despite massive outcry from peak student bodies, from university student unions and from thousands of students across the country.

On a campus level, students again have sought to have their concerns addressed by the individual universities, and in almost all cases (certainly at Melbourne University) have been rebuffed. Issues of equity and fairness seem to have hardly entered the picture, and the scraps offered by Melbourne Uni in the form of a few scholarships does not benefit the 39,000 other students at Melbourne Uni who won't be the beneficiaries of the Uni Council's munificence.

Every other option exhausted, the only way in which the student body was able to make its voice heard was through direct protest. Violence is never on the agenda of students, and nearly all violent acts that take place at protests and rallies are started by outside forces, either conservative aggitators or the police and security. This was the case at Melbourne, it was the case at Monash and it was the case at the National Day of Action last Wednesday. All violance is regrettable, and when it is caused by a breakdown in communication between two parties, it is the responsibility of the non-communicative side to return to the table and talk.

It was encouraging to see that so many of the students who expressed their opposition to the unfair HECS increases on Wednesday 31st of March to again show their displeasure on Monday. Over 300 students from Melbourne Uni attended the National Day of Action on Wednesday. I encourage you all to continue to express your opposition to the actions of the University and to lobby for them to reverse their decision.

Only a Federal Labor government can give universities the funding and support they need. Only a Federal Labor governement will reverse the HECS increases and abolish domestic full-fee paying places. It is vital that the regressive Howard Government be voted out of office at the next Federal Election, and education must be made a major election issue. Students must be made aware that the crisis that our universities are facing has been caused by the neglect and ideological opposition to public education held by the Howard Government. For universities to remain open and public, it is essential that Labor be elected.

--------------
Bullsheet #3
--------------

Bigger than ever at 8 pages, the Bullsheet issue 3 came out on Monday. ALP Club members placed over 300 copies around university.

Unfortunately due to financial restraints, we are unable to mail a copy to all members. If you want a copy and can't find it around uni, please email Alex (aw@vurt.net) and we will try to get one out to you.

--------------
Not Another Election?!
--------------

Elections for the "constitutional committee" is approaching, and the ALP Club is contesting. There is a meeting today (1PM) and tomorrow (1PM). Email (paul_eric83@hotmail.com) Paul for details.

--------------
Brunswick Branch Trivia Night
--------------

1t 7PM on the 17th of April there is a Trivia Night for the Brunswick Branch of the ALP. The MU ALP Club has organised two tables to attend, and is trying to fill a third. If you are interested in attending, please contact Alex (aw@vurt.net) for details.

--------------

Thats it for now.

2004-04-02T14:51:00.000+10:00

It's time for another update of what's on in the ALP Club!

------------------------
STUDENT ELECTIONS
------------------------
The ALP Club held a very successful meeting last week to begin planning our
campaign in the upcoming election for a 21-member Working Group briefed with
the job of designing a structure for a new Student Union at Melbourne Uni.
The University has opened nominations for the working groups, and will run a
Uni-wide election next month.

The Club will undoubtedly contest the election, and as such we need
candidates!

I encourage anyone who is interested to be a part of this process
either by nominating or by voting in the ballot to decide who we will run in
the election! For more details, call Paul on 0421 104 843 or Susie on 0401
736 757.

----------------------------------------------
POLITICS IN THE PUB FRIDAY NIGHT
Lindsay Tanner and Ross McMullin
Gavin Jennings, Victorian Minister for Aborinal Affairs.
-------------------------------------------

This Friday night (tomorrow), the ALP Club will be supporting two
consecutive Politics in the Pub functions. The first is the Celebration for
the ALP holding the seat of Melbourne for 100 years, as advertised in the
flyer that was mailed out earlier this week. The function is being hosted by
Linsday Tanner MP, the Federal Member for Melbourne, along with Ross
McMullin, author of the official history of the ALP, The Light on the Hill.

The Club will be meeting at the John Curtin Hotel on Lygon St, opposite
Trades Hall, at 5pm for the 5:30 start to the function, which has a door
cost of $5.

The ALP Club has also been invited to Young Labor Left’s first event of the
year – drinks with Gavin Jennings MLC, Victorian Minister for Aboriginal
Affairs, in the back room of La Notte Cafe Restaurant at 140 Lygon St. This
function starts at 8pm, so the Club will easily be able to head down the
street from JC’s to La Notte.

The evening promises to be a great one – call Paul for details on 0421 104
843.

Friday 2nd April:
5.30-7.30pm ALP in Melbourne Centenary celebrations
Upstairs John Curtin Hotel, Lygon Street (opp Trades Hall). Cost: $5

8pm Dinner and/or drinks with Gavin Jennings MLC
Back room La Notte Restraunt, Lygon Street. No Cost.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT THE FEES! THE CAMPAIGN FOR A BETTER EDUCATION SYSTEM
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was great to see the Club join in yesterdays National Day of Action
against the continuing attacks on our Education system, which provided a
renewed focus and energy to the campaign against the shift towards a Higher
Education system built around wealth ahead of merit.

Unfortunately, next Monday the Uni Council will meet and will almost
certainly decide to increase HECS at Melbourne Uni by 25%, as well as
implement more Full-fee paying places. The Education Action Group has called
a rally for next Monday on the South Lawns at 2pm – call Dave Mac for
details on 0412 565 302. The rally is a must for any Melbourne Uni student
concerned about a fair and equitable education system.

Former Labor Premier of Victoria John Cain has recently co-written a book
about the problems arising from increasing commercialisation and
privatisation of Melbourne University, and will be speaking on the topic at
Trades Hall next Wednesday night. A contingent from the ALP Club will be
heading along - see below for details.

The Australian Fabian Society (Victorian Branch) Invites you to attend a
presentation in the Wednesday Night at the New International Bookshop
Program By
Former Victorian Premier John Cain and co-author John Hewitt on their
controversial new case study on universities privatisation.

'Off Course:
From Public Place to Market Place at Melbourne University'.

6:30 to 8:00pm, Wednesday, 7 April, at the New International Bookshop
Meeting Room, Trades Hall, Cnr Victoria and Lygon Streets, Carlton. Cost:
AFS Members $5, Non-Members $6, Concession $4.

That’s about all for now,

Paul Erickson
ALP CLUB PRESIDENT

2004-03-30T13:56:00.000+10:00

----------------------
National Day of Action
----------------------

Wednesday 31st March, 1 PM

That's right comrades and cobbers, the National Day of Action, organised by the peak student union, National Union of Students, is taking place this Wednesday.

This NDA is a nation-wide protest against the regressive changes being forced upon universities across Australia. Among the changes include an increase in HECS fees by 25%, and an increase in the number of full-fee paying positions (which means money, not merit determins who goes to uni). It is important that the ALP Club be visible at the NDA to express the opinion that the only way that these regressive changes to university will be defeated and repealed is through the election of a Federal Labor Government. The Labor Party has committed (at its National Conference) to rolling back the HECS increases, abolishing full-fee paying places, and confirming support for universal public tertiary education for all Australians.

At Melbourne Uni there will be an initial demonstration on the Concrete Lawns (out the front of Union House), where all the members of the ALP Club will gather. There will be speeches by members of the Education Action Group (a collective made up of the various progressive and left groups on campus, including the ALP Club) and by anyone else who wishes to speak. From the Melb Uni Campus, we will then be marching down Swanston St. to get to the Victorian State Library by 2PM.

The State Library is where university students from around Melbourne and Victoria will congregate to express our opposition to the damaging regressions being imposed on universities. We will hear from education activists from around the state, including speakers from NUS. Once the speeches are finished, the gathered students will go on another march. Unfortunately I don't know precisely where, but it may be Melbourne Uni Private, Parliament House or Federation Square (don't quote me on this though).

I look forward to seeing all of you there.

2004-03-27T12:53:00.000+11:00

Welcome back!

The Big News for this week:

---------------------

ALP Club General Meeting

Tuesday March 30th, 1PM

Babel Building, Room G 04 (near economics, Map Ref F 13)

The General Meeting will consider several issues, including the upcoming National Day of Action (a rally in opposition to the regressive Education Reforms spearheaded by Federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson), the Melbourne University Elections which were called on Friday afternoon (these elections will be to appoint a constitutional committee for the creation of a new Melbourne Uni Student Union).

---------------------

National Day of Action -- Fight the Fees!

Wednesday 31st of March, 1-2 PM

We will be congregating on the Concrete Lawns near Union House at 1PM. Then we will be marching down to the State Library on Swanston Street at 2PM.

The NDA is an action taken by students from universities across Victoria and Australia. It is to express our dissatisfaction with the education reforms being forced upon us by Brendan Nelson, which will increase fees by 25% and increase the number of full fee paying students to 30%. This is part of the Howard Government's neo-conservative agenda to privatise and deregulate our education system. It shifts the cost of higher education, the bedrock of a modern economy, to the student, rather than the upon the public, who are the primary beneficiaries of tertiary education. The increased financial costs of higher education will result in those from lower socio-economic backgrounds being unable to attend university and TAFE, condemning them to the viscious cycle of poverty and second-class citizen status.

---------------------

This week the Bullsheet was released and mailed out to ALP Club members. If you don't get it, or didn't get the last one (sent about a fortnight ago), please let us know (email Melb_ALP_club@hotmail.com).

To get involved in writing or otherwise contributing for the Bullsheet, email me (aw@vurt.net). I'm always looking for more articles.

Because of the huge cost of regular (ie, fortnightly) mailouts, it is likely that we will revert to a campus-only distribution of the Bullsheet. For extraordinary events and news, there will be mailouts as usual.

This means that we will need your help in getting the Bullsheet out to students on campus. Every second Monday (Monday April 5th is the next day) we will need some assistance in distributing the Bullsheet. Let me know at the above email address if you are able to help.

---------------------

2004-03-15T19:41:00.000+11:00

Welcome to the second edition of the Melbourne Uni ALP Club's weekly rundown of events on campus.

---------------------
St Patrick's Day BBQ!
---------------------

The ALP Club will be hosting a St. Patrick's Day BBQ this Wednesday, from 1pm onwards in the Old Geology Courtyard. The Courtyard can be found in the Map of Uni at ref 18G.

Food, Soft Drink and Beer will be supplied by the club with vegetarians catered for. To cover our costs, we ask that club members attending please make a gold coin donation.

---------------------
Election Preparations
---------------------

As many club members will be aware, the University will be running an election next month for a new body to be briefed with the task of setting up a constitution for a new Student Union at Melbourne Uni. The ALP Club intends on contesting this election, and are helping organise a forum for later this week to begin preparations amongst various left-wing and left-leaning groups on campus.

All members of the club are invited to come along and help start preparing for what will be one of most important elections on campus in a long time.

With 20 positions to be elected to the working group, there will be the opportunity for several members of the ALP Club to take up a position. I encourage anyone and everyone who is interested to come along on Thursday or stay in touch with the Club to keep track of what's going on. The ALP Club will conduct preselections in the coming weeks as we put our ticket together, and this presents a great opportunity to get some of the clubs newer members involved.

------------------
Education Campaign
------------------

Just a reminder that the National Union of Students has called a National Day of Action against the Howard Government's continuing attacks on students. A rally is likely to be called for Wednesday March 31st, focusing on the fight against the implementation of last years changes to Higher Ed on a campus-by-campus level. As you may be aware, the Melbourne University Council will be meeting next month to consider proposals to raise HECS by 25% and implement more Full Fee paying places at Melbourne Uni, making this a vital issue for the ALP Club heading into an Election environment. The only way to stop these fee increases from being introduced is to see the election of Latham Government by the end of 2004, but this will only occur if we keep up the fight against Howard and Nelson on campus and on the streets throughout this year.

The details of March 31st will be sorted out by NUS in the coming weeks, and the ALP Club will as always be an active participant in the promotion of the rally and the events on the day itself. Stay tuned for an update on how you can get involved!

---------------------
Other Upcoming events
---------------------

The ALP Club is currently organising more events for this semester:

- Catherine Davis, the women's officer of the Federal Branch of the Australian Education Union, will be coming out to talk to the club about the issues facing women on campus and in the workplace, as well as how the public education campaign can help get rid of the Howard Government in 2004.

- Lindsay Tanner, the Federal Member for Melbourne and the Shadow Minister for Communications and Community Relationships, will be the club's guest later this semester speaking about the challenges facing the ALP in this election year.

- The ALP Club is also organising a fully catered Tour of Parliament House hosted by state Labor MPs for late April.

- The Federal President of the ALP, Carmen Lawrence, will be the club's guest in the first week of May when the Melbourne Uni ALP Club presents the return of the Annual Chifley Memorial Lecture Series.

Stay tuned for the full details of each event!

2004-03-15T18:08:00.000+11:00

Welcome to the Melbourne University ALP Club blogspot. Check regularly for updates and news.