Dr Nelson Lashes Out At Perth Student Protesters |
| by Ratbag Elemental |
2005-07-04 5:35 PM +0800 |
| Warning: Classic fear of dissent follows. Nelson tells students that he will not be moved under any circumstances by student protest - and that they are a threat to "hard working West Australians"... |
Nelson hits out at student protesters - ABC
Federal Education Minister Dr Brendan Nelson has launched a scathing attack on university students in Perth who took part in Thursday night's violent protest.
Dr Nelson had been attending the opening of an Indigenous studies centre at the university and was blocked by protesters as he attempted to leave.
He was rushed to safety at the Edith Cowan University campus after a rally against voluntary student unionism (VSU) turned ugly. One student in the group was arrested and another injured as police and officers on horseback tried to quell the violence.
Dr Nelson says the actions of the radical and out of control group has not helped its cause. "Under no circumstances am I going to allow student protesters from discharging my responsibilities," he said. "Far too often the voices of everyday people are being drowned out by a ratbag element who threaten not only their own safety but that of Australia's and West Australia's hard-working men and women."
But the National Union of Students (NUS) has defended the actions of student protesters. NUS president Felix Eldridge says students were within their rights to show their concern over the Commonwealth's changes to higher education.
"Students just like everyone else in the community have a right to protest, a right to demonstrate," he said. "Police and the Government coming in and using horses and things and arresting people is completely inappropriate. "Students coming in to let Brendan Nelson know - in my books, should be commended."
Students remain critical of a Federal Government plan to abolish student guild fees in all Australian universities.
FROM: http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200507/1405252.htm?perth
VSU - Federal Government bans compulsory student unionism
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2005/s1324699.htm
SEE ALSO: http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=11547
AND FEATURE: http://perth.indymedia.org/index.php?action=default&featureview=236 |
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