Students protest fees

BY EWAN SAUNDERS

BRISBANE — Around 250 students at the University of Queensland successfully blockaded the university's senate meeting on August 1, preventing a vote that would have seen course places sold to wealthy students with lower entry scores.

The blockade was organised by the UQ Coalition Against Fees (CAF), in response to plans by the university administration to introduce up-front fees for Australian undergraduate students.

Three university senators succeeded in entering the building but, with none of the other senators willing to breach the blockade line, those inside were unable to reach quorum by the required time.

University chancellor and former state Liberal leader Llew Edwards left the building with security guard escorts soon after the departure of the university senators but was pursued by angry students.

Edwards stated that he would not respect the outcome of the student referendum to be held August 8, before being pursued further across the campus.

Although the decision to implement domestic undergraduate up-front places at UQ has now been delayed, the senate will likely re-schedule the meeting.

The success of the anti-fees campaign will be determined by its ability to gather student support and expose the illegitimacy and unaccountability of the university's senate.

From Green Left Weekly, August 7, 2002.

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From GLW issue 503