Canberra threatens jobs in Lismore

Jobs are under threat with the Federal Government's intention of legislating for the introduction of voluntary student unionism (VSU) in all Australian universities.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which represents staff in student organisations, has called on the Federal Government to urgently reconsider its plans.

Union Organiser at Southern Cross University, Stephen Senise said that it was with grave concern for dozens of jobs at the Lismore campus that the CPSU had received the news of proposed Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) legislation.

"Last year alone, Campus Central, the service provision arm of the student organisation, provided jobs for nearly 150 people," Mr Senise said.

"How many families and individuals in Lismore is this legislation going to king-hit, indirectly or otherwise ?"

"In a local economy like ours, the impact is sure to reverberate."

"The local student organisation pumps millions and millions of dollars into the Lismore community."

"Southern Cross University is a substantial and important driver of the Lismore economy, and in turn Campus Central is a significant part of the university economy.""If jobs go, the impact and flow-on effects aren't hard to figure out," Mr Senise said.

CPSU Branch President at Southern Cross University, Ms Toni Ledgerwood said that VSU would not only result in the demise of the student organisation and the services it provides, it would also act as a blow to the Lismore community generally.

"The CPSU is determined to save student organisation jobs, and we will fight the minister's job-killing plan."

"We will do so because the integrity of the university as a whole is at stake, and for the well-being of our local community," Ms Ledgerwood said.