However, according to Jones the Nurses' Union had been trying to negot- iate for more staff for a number of months. He says the problem with app- roaching the Hospital Boards is that while they can listen to what has to be said, they can't take any action, except approach Austin with the recommendations.

The Hospital Boards have no authority to increase staff levels, Therefore, it is pointless that the Nurses' Union let the

matter rest there; •

According to Jones nothing construct- ive has been done to solve the staff problem, and nothing would- be done . .if the _decision was left solely up to the boards.

IT BETTER

Queensland nurses are amongst the lowest paid and most overworked in Australia, and with an unsympathetic State government and public they can do very little about it. RAINE GRADY reports on the cu"ent nurses' dispute.

He says the nurses had found that their quickest avenue was to take industrial action, in the hope that Austin would see the urgency of the matter.

However, all Austin has seen is his name connected with a front page issue

that it is not to his liking.

To date the issue has been denigrated by claims from Austin that the Nurses'

· Union officials were lying.

According to the Minister, "a pamphlet dropped twice , by the Nurses' Union around my electorate in the last six

He says that it was only necessary for the Union to approach hospital boards for the strike to have been overted.

However, Jones says Austin knows that

· was no real solution.

"He knows the boards haven't got sufficient power," he says.

Austin also claims that the nurses'final strike on February 21 was proof that more staff were not needed and that the unions claims were unjustified.

"Surely, if nursing staff levels are any- where near as bad as the Union claims, it

"I think nearly everyone was aware we were on strike, but it may as well have fallen on deaf ears in Parliament. We are still waiting."

months, contained deliberate lies and distortions."

The pamphlet actually outlined the problems faced by understaffed hosptals and the fact that nothing had been done about it. Nurses had been forced to reduce ward sizes to thirty beds, but even with this reduction there were still staff- ing problems.

Austin says the strike was allegedly held because there were no tripartite di_s- cussions between the Union, the Public Service Board and the Health Department.

,...,,,,.

would have been impossible to maintain adequate patient care with even fewer staff and virtually no volunteer help," he says.

Austin seems to have overlooked the fact that during the strike virtually no op- . erations were · carried out and nurses

doubled their duties in order to 'ad - quately' care for the patients.

Jones, annoyed by Austin's "total dis- play of irresponsibility", says he hoped that Parliamend meeting on February 28 would have found a resolution.

However, the end result was a bitter argument that led to a 24 hour suspension of Deputy Leader of the State Oppos- ition, Nev Warburton, the revoking of discussions between the Nurses' Union and Hospital Boards by Austin, and the return to work of 3,700 disillusioned nurses.

Austin reasoned that Jones had been 'iying' again. This time about the need for more information for the Union and the hospital boards information.

Amid claims by Austin that his term as Health Minister had seen the implement- ation of "some of the most important iniatives ever taken for the advancement of the nursing profession in Queensland", there still exists the frustration of many nurses.

A nurse from the Princess Alexandra Hospital (who prefers not to be named), says she arid _many others are extremely angry that nothing has been acheived by their action.

· 'I think nearly everyone was aware we were on strike, but it may as well have fallen on deaf ears in parliament. We are still waiting," she said.

The dangers that exist when nurses are forced to work long hours with limited help cannot be overlooked. Tiredness can easily effect a nurse's judgement, as well as his/her bedside manner., . --

In addition, young, newly trained nurses are often left to manage entire wards on late night shifts.

Does Austin consider these examples of his important initiatives in the Queens- land health system?

At present the Queensland Nurses' Union is conduction a Patient-Nurse Dep- endecy survey to determine how many nurses are actually needed. This will be

· presented to the Industrial Commission and the Health Deapartment.

Jones says he hopes the_ survey is a success, and it should be, provided no one thinks the Union is lying again.

PLANET Page 3

C,

(4)

KN

T

he following is intended as a precis of your rights with respect to the rules and regulations affecting your conduct academically and as part of the campus generally.

First and foremost, it is aimed at providing an exhaustive list of' the rights which currently pertain, as outlined in the Institute Rules and Regulations. Al- though discovering them for yourself is not a difficult task, it is anticipated that a general increased awareness of the rights at your disposal will facilitate an increased and more efficient use of them where necessary.

Secondly, it is hoped that a consideration of the rights will evoke an app- raisal of their adequacy. So as not to detract from the primary purpose of this endeavour, I have not drawn attention to any deficiencies in these rights as far as I am concerned but I would submit that they do contain substantial gaps which the proposed Bill of Rights would assist in redressing. Now I want to hear your views. The need for more rights is serious and directly affects every student (eg. no(. being allowed to . ascertain law exam marks).

It has been proved repeatedly that the Union can achieve significant benefits for students. Neve.rtheless, to_ achieve changes to the more entrenched practices we need the blatent support of the student populace with us. We need your encouragement, but, more importantly, we need your ideas so that the submission we put forward truly represents your wishes. There will be a Union Informa- tion stand in the Community Building at various times during the next few weeks and we'll be eagerly awaiting your response to the issue and your thoughts on the Union generally.

□□□□□□

RIGHTS EXEMPTIONS

The right to exemption from the whole or part of a subject where another is considered by the Head of Department responsible for the course to be an adequate, relevant substitute (N/A to the Legal Practice Course) provided that, when a course is longer than two semesters, at least two semesters full-time in the equivalent in subjects nominated by the Head of Department are completed at QIT, or, where a course 1s longer than two semesters, 75% is completed at QIT, and provided that the application for exemption is made at the time of first enrolment (save in exceptional circumstances). (Rules 1 - 4· of Rules Relating to Exemptions.)

RE-REGISTRATION

The right to apply for re-enrolment, without being classed as a new student, where registration in a course has lapsed because of withdrawal from a course or failure to re-enrol in a course ( except where leave of absence has been grante~

providing the first and second semester's·- work (full-time; part-time and external) has been completed. (Rules 1 and 2 of the Rules relating to students seeking re- registration).

The right to apply for leave of absence for a special period at the end of which a student may re-enrol without losing credit, or apply for extension of the period. Application must be made by presentation to the Registrar of docu- mentar.y evidence, acceptable to the Registrar in the case of medical or comp- assionate grounds, and acceptable to the

PL~fifEt Page

⁴

YOUR RIGHTS

Director of Education, SUE SHEPPARD, is currently trying to form- ulate a Bill of.Rights to cover students and st?ff on th~ QIT Ca"!p'!s.

Hopefully the Bill will bridge th~ su~stan!ial ~aps in the existing Institute Rules and Regulations outlined in this article.

breach of discipline i.e. breach of any By Law or Rule of the Institute or any lawful order of its employees (By Law 9/2) before the Director in his determination . of what penalty to impose (By Law 9/ 6) Thi~ right does not pertain to a Head of

'i;:- ,.;Department's automatic right to suspend

---... = = ~ ==:===~-~--- ...

for up to 24 hours (By Law 9/5). . ASSESSMENT OF RIGHTS PART VII The right, when misconduct i.e. con- Academic Board responsible for the

course, in apy other case. (Rule 3)

*Explanation - Note: minor amend- ments to the Exam Rules are presently under consideration by Academic Ass- embly. If approved by Council these will be advised of.

NOMINATION FOR

EXAMINATIONS PART V

The right to have fmalised examination timetables posted on noticeboards not less that three weeks prior to the commencement of Central Examinations. (Rule

12( d))

The right to be sent, not less than two weeks _prior to the commencement of Central Examinations, an examination form showing the subjects for which a student is eligible to sit and the date_ and time of the examination in the subject.

(Rule 14)

The right to 'show cause' why ineligibility should not be confirmed when a student is declared by the Head of School to be ineligible. The case is then re- considered by the Head of School and if ineligibility is confirmed, there is an appeal to the Director. (Rule 13)

The right to apply for a deferred examination. Application is made by notification to the Registrar prior to the exam or immediately afterwards ( there is generally a prescribed period within which this must be done, noted on the current Aca- demic Calendar) that you will fail or have failed, to complete an examination for reasons of incapacity, ill health or other circumstances beyond your control.

An acceptable medical certificate or other proof (as contained in a Statutory Dec- laration) must accompany the application. The Head of School determines all such applications. (Rul~ 15)

The right to apply for special consideration when a student believes that his/her . performance in a Central examination has been adversely affected by illness, disab- ility or other exceptional circumstances provided application is supported by suit- able medical (a certificate obtained on the day of the exam or as soon as practical), or other evidence is made to the Registrar by the closing date specified in the current Academic Calendar. The Head of School determines whether special consideration will be granted. If it is, the Chief Examiner and appropriate examiners shall take some account of the information contained in the application as they consider appropriate in re- commending a result for the candidates (Rule 15 A).

CONDUCT OF EXAM/NATIONS PART VI

The right to present your case to the Registrar if an examination supervisor suspends you from an examination room for failure to comply with super- visors' directions. The Registrar may then · confirm and rescind the exclusion.

The right to 'show cause' to the Direct- or as' to why a penalty should not be imposed upon the breach of a rule relating to the conduct of an examination. When a penalty is imposed, there is a right of appeal to the Appeals Committee (Rule 27. See also By-Law 9/2 -Rights re Simple Breach of Discipline).

The right to 'show cause' to the Reg- duct which impairs or interferes with the istrar as to why a result should not be freedom or ability of other persons to witheld where an Academic Board de- pursue studies, research, duties or lawful · termines that fuTther assessment is de- activities etc. (By Law 9/3) is obliged to: served before the release of a final result (i) receive notice of the charge in writing

(Rule 35). and no less than seven days notice of the

The right to have any examination date and place of hearing.

paper in any subject reviewed on request (ii) have the charge determined by a lodged with the Registrar not later than Committee comprising the Chairperson the date prescribed in the Academic and two other members appointed by Calendar and accompanied by the app- the Institute Council as well as up to ropriate fee (refundable when a higher three members appointed by the Union, grade is obtained). provided that written . accreditati~n ~f the members appointed by the Umon 1s lodged with the Director prior to the commencement of the hearing.

GROSS FAILURE PART VIII The right to 'show cause' in writing to the Registrar by the date specified in the written notification of gross failure (not more than four weeks from the date of posting of the notification) upon which the relevant Academic Board determines whether the student will be classified as a gross failure and what penalties should be imposed (Rule 42).

The right of appeal to the Appeals Committee when cause is not shown to the satisfaction of the relevant Academic Board. The letter of appeal is to be lodged with the Registrar within _ 14 calendar days of the date appearing on the Registrar's letter advising of the imposition of penalties and is to state the full grounds and reasons for appeal (Rule 44).

The right to apply for re-admission if excluded under the Gross Failure Rule provided that at least four semesters have elapsed since exclusion to the application is made in writing to the Registrar not later than two months prior to the commencement of the semester for which admission is sought (Rule 46).

ACADEMIC STRUCTURES AND CONTENT OF COURSES

The right to ensure that when a student is already enrolled in a course, his/

her 'reasonable rights' are not prejudiced or are sufficiently safeguarded with respect to the right of the Institute Couhcil and prescribe the academic structure and content of any causes and amend them at any time (Rule 4 of the Rules relating to Admission to Courses). ..

The right to complete a course and receive the award under the original provis- _ion upon such terms as to time for com- pleting or otherwise as the Institute Council deems reasonable in the circumstances in the event of any Rules relating to the award under which a student is proceeding being repealed or amended;

this is provided that if Council is· of the opinion that it would impose no hardship upon a· · student to complete her/his course under ·the 'amended provisions, she/ he may be required to do so (By Law 1/6).

DISCIPLINE

The right to a reasonable opportunity to be heard with respect to any simple

(iii) be represented 'by- a barrister or soliciter or such person as the student may appoint (By Law 9/7).

The right to a reasonable opportunity to answer any allegations against a student charged with with misconduct (By Law 9/8).

The right to have a copy of the record of proceedings in the hearing of a mis- . conduct charge made available to the student on request in the event of an appeal (By Law 9/8).

The right of appeal to the Institute Council if convicted of any breach of discipline provided that within 14 days of the conviction the student gives written notice of appeal to the Director, setting out the grounds and such other relevant matters and contentions the student wishes to have considered by Council (By . Law 9/9). Unless Council otherwise dir- ects such an appeal is to be heard by an Appeals Committee constituted in ~e same way as the Committee referred to m By Law 9/7, but containing none of the same members (By Law 9/9).

The · right to be given reasonable notice of the matters alleged against her/

him and a reasonable opportunity to answer in any proceedings taken by the Committee hearing an appeal against a conviction for wither a breach of discipline or misconduct (By Law 9/13).

The right to have 'reasonable access' to Institute premises and facilities which in the opinion of the Director is reasonably necessary to enable the preparation of a

· defence, upon suspension.

The right of appeal to Council against any disciplinary action taken _by the Union provided that the appeal 1s made to Council within 35 days to such action being taken (By Law 10/4).

MAIN LIBRARY POLICY

The right to use library material (Rule 2).

The right of appeal in writing to the Registrar within 14 days of the date of the imposition of a monetary penalty.

Other disciplinary action taken under Rule 3 must be suspended for the durat- ion of the appeal (Rule 4).

The right to an appeal against the de- .sicion of the Registrar in writing within seven days to the Director (Rule 4).

If you need to exercise your rights under these rules at any timl':-YOU may invoke the assistance of the Director of Education or the student rep on the Academic Board for your course. Photo- graphs of these reps will soon be dis- played on photo boards in all departments.

(5)

The trouble with political jokes is they keep getting elected. So the old saying goes. SUE NICOLLS reports on the growing numbers of fringe political parties.

H

^hepast few years in Britain have seen a rapid rise in the numbers of fringe political parties. In last year's general election there were candid- ates from the Official Acne Party, the Yoga and Meditation Party ;md the Elvis Presley Party to name a few, along with those from the more traditional social democrat and conservative parties.

None of them stood a celluloid cat's chance in Hell of being elected, and the most they could do was collect enough votes to make sufficient inroads into the support normally given to the more traditional parties' candidates.

While it is easy to dismiss candidates such as 38 year-old Screaming Lord Sutch, leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party, as merely examples of the much talked about British eccentricity, the country's politicians are taking them seriously.

They claim people like Lord Sutch, who has been. unsuccessfully contesting seats for the past 20 years, are making a mockery of the politicai"system and reducing polling to a joke; something some say is impossible because polling in Brit- ain is already a joke.

But if it is .a··joke, then British politicians are taking it rather poorly.

Recently they voted to substantially increase the amount candidates must for- feit if tliey fail to receive a nominal percent of the vote. As from March 1, the amount was increased from $230 to

$1,500 - an increase 'serious politicians hope wm discourage their 'less serious' opponents.

And discourage it most certainly will.

The 650 percent increase has effectively put the electoral process out of the reach of candidates from minor parties, which operate without the sophisticated fund- raising and support f~cilities available to . candidates from the larger, more estab-

lished parties.

It is unlikely, however, that huge parties will disappear entirely from the political scene. They are symptomatic of the growing dissatisfaction with politics in Britain, and indeed, throughout most of the Western world.

Increasingly, as political systems fail to meet the diverse demands being placed on them, support is being withdrawn and alternatives sought.

On a smaller scale, the same sort of thing is happening in Australia, and while

Anarchy In Oz

--

by Kate Bell

J

ohil Patrick Nobody, anarchist and free speech advocate is no Nobody.

Neither does he fit the description of backroom bomb manufacturer so often lumped on those who publicly declare themselves anarchists.

Last year, Nobody contested the State seat of Kurilpa as the independent anarchist candidate after changing his name, by deed poll, to Nobody.

While he only polled 167 votes, he beat the Socialist candidate for the area and was pleased with his result, although, as he says, he sees the reduced support for the socialists as a sign of growing conserv- atism in Queensland.

Had Nobody been elected, literally Nobody would have represented Kurilpa in Queensland Parliament. The forfeited salary would have gone to community groups.

"The whole idea of the Nobody campaign was to put ideas of self-manage- ment and self-control into the minds of the people in the West End community,"

Nobody said. "We aim at the abolition of the State government and the establish- ment of the Federation of Commvnity Councils."

Under such a set-up, Nobody explained every community member would be en- titled to attend Community Council meetings , and everybody would have equal voting rights. It would not mean a complete overthrow of the government.

"That is exactly the opposite to what we are trying to achieve,"Nobody said, 'we' referring to the 30 strong People

for Direct Democracy group to which he belongs.

Like most independent and minor party candidates, finance for the Nobody campaign came c,ut of the group's own

pockets. [

However, fines incurred by Nobody as a result of his illegal protest speeches in the mall shortly ilfter public speaking was banned, were not paid, and as a result, Nobody has served two minor jail terms.

It is evidence of the lengths Nobody is prepared to go to in his bid to protect people's right to speak freely; indeed it was his belief

in

free speech that in- fluenced Nobody to join the anarchist movement.

"I became politically involved back in 1978 when the right to march movement was at the fore," he explained. "The movement wanted to get the trade unions and the Labor Party on side, but I was skeptical that either group had any real interest in the right to free speech." ·

Nowadays, Nobody is best known for Queen Street mall speeches. He is a confident and experienced orator of the old school. Unlike many of his contempor- aries, Nobody never reads his speeches, nor does he ever run out of examples to contradict the arguments of onlookers.

While he gained a degree of sympathy and local support for his stance on tree speech before and during the election campiagn, his stance also discredited him in the eyes of many.

It is a response those who voice alternative opinions in Queensland have come to expect from a conservative public.

fringe parties, such as the Party to Reveal the Petrov Conspiracy, haven't made much of an impact nationally, individuals such ·as iohn Patrick Nobody, who con~

_!ested l~~ year's state e~ection for Kurilpa (see box), and Fast Bucks who has contested local and federal elections in northern New South Wales, are getting considerable media attention and causing at least some concern for their opponents. Bucks, in particular, has gained national media coverage.

Last year, Bucks narrowly lost the Byron Shire local elections. This year he contested the Federal by-election for Richmond, the seat formerly held by re- tired National Party leader, Doug Anthony.

ion pawns by hyping them as the solution to the area's chronically serious unemployment problems (estimates of a 55 percent rate of unemployment are not unrealistic).

Bucks didn't win Richmond, but then he didn't intend to. Like most fringe party's and independent candidates, he sees his role as that of a catalyst; a sort of 'politicised' pressure group .. By actually participating in elections, such people hope to gain more media attention and support for the various causes they es- pouse than they could if they ran their campaign through normal lobbying channels.

Fast Buck's campaign is yet another example of an increasingly widespread conviction that people's wants and needs are not being ade- quately dealt with by the established political system, and the growing need they feel to find some alternative.

His stance is predominantly anti- development and his satirical campaign and revealing newsletters earned him not only the title of "an anti-development, muck-raking ratbag," but also a Supreme_

Court injunction on account of his att- acks on Alan Bond's million dollar Ocean Shores estate development near Byron Bay.

It also earned him a degree of support from the environmentalists in Byron Shire who are sick of developers getting their projects uncritically passed by a Council allegedly riddled with corporat-

His campaign is yet .another example of an increasingly widespread conviction that people's wants and needs are not being adequately dealt with by the established p.olitical system, and the growing need they feel to find some alternative.

In effec(, Bucks sees himself as an image, a shared perception or _a shared need.

The question is, will these concerned individuals and groups be allowed to stand as alternatives, or will the established system curtail this right, as has effectively happened in Britain.

VOTE FOR A -- CHANGE

VOTE ^for NOBODY

• .I ^•

. ..

• • • •

• • _• _• •

• NOBODY

WILL REPRESENT YOUR INTERESTS

• NOBODY

HAS ALL THE ANSWERS

• NOBODY

STANDS FOR DEMOCRACY

• NOBODY

^KEEPSTHEIR CAMPAIGN PROMISES

t NOBODY'S RUNNING. FOR YOU !

'PLANET Page 5

(6)

There's been. a lot of talk about re-evaluating social benef!ts to. make the dole, TEAS and other welfare benefits more equal. Earlier tbts ye~r a discussion paper 1,Vas prepared by the Departments of Youth Aff'!trs and Social Security, outlining proposals for welfare resrt?'ctunng.

SANDRA McLENNAN, Education Officer for the B.C.A.E Unton.

I

n January of this year, a discussion paper was prepared by the Office of Youth Affairs and the Social Welfare Policy Secretariat. This was by agreement between the Minister for Edu- cation and Youth Affairs, Senator Susan Ryan, and the Minister for Social Secur- ity, Senator Don Grimes.

In endeavouring to provide a summary of this discussion paper, readers should be aware that "the role of the SWPS" was to

"advise on, and promote the co-ordinated development and review of policies and programs in the broad field of health and welfare".

Those programs which currently pro- ,ide direct assistance to young people are unemployment benefit (UB); the Tertiary Education Assistance Scheme (TEAS) and transition allowance, and those that provide assistance to the parents of eligible students such as family allowance, additional pension and benefit for children and the Secondary Allowance Schemes (SAS). Special need situations are also covered via a large number of other programs.

It is obvious that pressures for change instituted the drafting of such a paper. In- deed, some pressures which the Secretar- iat had to consider in this paper were:

·'growing concern with youth income support" had arisen "largely in response to high levels of unemployment and a widespread belief that education particip- ation rates should be increased". In addition, the Secreatariat sees:

"developments in the labour market"

which have ''particularly disadvantaged the least educated young people".

The SWPS considers four basic principles in proposing any changes to the income support structure for young people. These are outlined as follows:

1. The income support arrangements for young people should be simple with a minimum number of seperate payments . providing a consistent and easily under- standable as well as equitable structures.

2. Adequate financial support should be available for all young people in need, including those who are unable to engage in employment, education or training.

3. The income support structure should reflect and support the broader objectives and programs for young people including particular attention to the needs of disadvantaged groups - it should provide incentives for young people to participate in a comprehensive range of improved oppm;tunities in education,

~training and employment.

4. While recognising the prime respons-

ibility of parents for the support of younger people, the levels of income support and the method of payment should also recognise the growth in independ- ence and self determination of young people as they move into adulthood and employment.

PLANET Page 6

Of course the issues arising from these principles are probably those which concern us more directly, as recipients. The Social Welfare Policy Secretariat addresses five major items here:

'The first issue is whether the cu"ent set of programs of income support is too complex. There are at least 37 individual programs which involve different elig- ibility conditions, maximum rates of ass- istance - and the incentive effects of the education allowances may be weakened if the availability of additional assistance is not well-known."

The second issue to which the SWPS addresses its attention is:

'It has been frequently argued that the rates of unemployment benefit, fam- ily assistance and education allowances are inadequate . . . there appear, to be particular priority. problems for those young people who live away from home or do not have support from parents. "

Third,

"It has also been argued that many features of our present arrangements, particularly differences in the levels of all- owances under TEAS arid unemployment benefits are inequitable. "

With regard to this issue, SWPS go on to say;

"Income tests and their application have also attracted much criticism on equity grounds. Because the free area ( the amount of private income which.does not affect entitlement of assistance) has not been increased since 1974 to take full account of inflation, the TEAS parental income test has effectively been tighten- ed. Some have welcomed this increased concentration on lower income families.

Others have questioned whether it is app- ropriate for allowances under that scheme to be subject to a parental income test until the age of 25, especially given that there is no such test for the unemploy- ment benefit and transition allowance.

The effects of parental income testing are felt particularly severely by older stu- dents and those potential students whose parents, although able, are unwilling to fi- nance their further education. But an easing of the parental income test for ed- ucation allowances would increase the assistance to students from higher income families, any of whom could be expect- ed to continue their studies in any case.

1

related aspect of the impact of the test on spouses' income in the case of married students - this question has not been addressed in this article since it raises serious and complicated questions in many areas about the appproaches taken to the income u~it and the concept of need."

The fourth item .considered, is that of incentive.

"Many have felt that the present structure of income support payments does not provide a strong enough incent- ive for young people to continue their education."

With respect to this issue, I would suggest, aside from the discussion paper presented, that not only does income support payments not provide incentive for the young, but that it does no more than tease the mature-aged student (and pros- pective mature-aged students).

The final point which is considered here relates to dependency of current recipients.

"The income support arrangement gen- erally assume that full-time students aged between 16 and 24 receive financial sup- port from their parents but that persons who have entered the labour force (in- cluding young enemployment benefic- . iaries) are more independent."

In the discussion paper, the Social Wel- fare Policy Secretariat attempts to offer us various trade-offs between those above mentioned principles and "broader objectives and constraints". We are presented with a four-package option.

The first package endeavours to

~chieve ''greater consistency between allowances" under Secondary Assistance Schemes and TEAS and between these payments and unemployment benefits.

SWPS suggest the following:

1. The payment of the SAS allowance direct to students (rather than parents) fr~m the age of 16 and the payment of allowances under both SAS and TEAS on a fortnightly basis;

2. The introduction of the TEAS per- sonal income test for SAS;

3. The introductfon of a living away from home (LAFH) allowance for SAS students who are unable to remain at home;

4. The introduction of a LAFH allowance for the 16 and 17 year old unemployment benefit recipients and the extension of supplementary (rent) allowance for older unemployment benefit recipients;

5. An increase in the free area in the unemployment benefit income test (and the income range over which a partial withdrawal rate applies).

Some· of these suggestions could quite

..

readily be implemented.

The second package measure offers the suggestions of an age-related based allow- . ance. Because unemployment benefit payments are already age-related, this would and could make it easier to provide a consistent pattern of incentives to engage in education or training. Options canvassess in this package include:

1. The payment of the Secondary Allowances Scheme allowance to secondary students from age 16, regardless of year of schooling;

2. The replacement of SAS and TEAS by a uniform age-related scale of allowances irrespective of• the type offull time education pursued;

3. The absorption of the Adult Second- ary Education Assistance Scheme (ASEAS) into this structure;

4. Reduction of the age of independ- ence for student allowances;

5. The p,ayment of a small allowance to all dependent students who are in full- time education or training in place of family allowances;

6. The introduction of a special education benfit for students in low income families and students who are experienc- ing hardship who are not eligible for assistance under the age-related scheme;

7. The replacement of the Pre-Apprent- iceship Training (PAT) and General Train- ing Assistance (GTA) (formal) allowances for students under the age of independ- ence (currently 25 years) by the newed- ucation allowance;

8. The expansion · of the transition allowance into a new basic training allowance.

Here, it is pointed out that such options would surely involve "increased costs".

Thirdly, the SWPS includes measures to integrate social security payments for students by "replacing social security assistance for dependent students. aged 16 to 24 years by increased rates of ed-

(7)

ucation allowances." . Options- canvasses include:

1. No longer paying family allowances in addition to the SAS aUowance, and abolishing the notional family'allowance component in the TEAS living allowance;

2. No longer paying additional pension and benefit in additio to education allowances;

3. Abolishing other social security payments (including Family Income Supple- ment (FIS) and possibly mother's guard- ian's allowance, handicapped child's allowance and double orphan's pension) for full-time students ages 16 to 24 years.

The SWPS further states that, "these options would be expensive since the higher rates of education allowances would flow to all eligible students, not just those from families receiving social security payments. The greater numbers of students involved mean that it would be extremely costly to increase education allowances sufficiently tp prevent losers if all the social security payments were to be abolished."

Finally, measures have been canvassed to "increase the rates of education ·allowances and relevant social security payments." Again, the expected increases in the real values would be highly expensive.

Table 1 shows the estimated full year cost of increasing rates of unemployment benefit, SAS and TEAS by $1.00 a week.

Foe example, 'a $1.00 a week increase in the junior unemployment benefit rate is estimated to cost some $3m and a $ f .00.

a week increase in the Secondary Allow- ances Scheme (SAS) allowance rate also around $3m in a full year."

Table 2 of this summary shpws the differences between the rates of total income support for those on unemployment benefit, TEAS and SAS. It showed that SAS students receive lower maximum levels of income support than TEAS students or unemployment benefit recipients. Further:

1. Unemployment rate for single persons ages 18 years and over without dependents exceeds the TEAS 'at home rate' by $33.02 a week ($21.02 a week if the student comes from a pensioner/beneficiary family);

2. Unemployment benefit rate for single persons aged 18 and over, without dependents exceeds the TEAS 'away from home' rate by $11 a week "(but the TEAS rate exceeds the unemployment benefit rate by $1 a week,if the student comes from a pensioner/beneficiary family);

3. Unemployment benefit rate for 16 and 17 year olds exceeds the TEAS 'at home rate by $4.42 a week (but TEAS rate exceed the unempl_oyment benefit rate by $7.58 a week if the student comes from a pensioner/beneficiary family);

4. TEAS 'away from home' rate exceeds the unemployment benefit rate for 16 and 17 year olds by $17 .60 a week ($29.60 a week if the student comes from a pensioner/beneficiary family)."

The Office of Youth Affairs and the Social Welfare Policy Secretariat, con- sequently report that "educational objectives would point to reducing the ex- tent to which unemployment benefit payable exceeds the level of assistance for similar aged students. Equity objectives",

they state, 'point to reducing the gaps generally."

In addition, it is believed that by "reducing the gap between the maximum rate of SAS (plus family allowance and additional pension/benefit, where relevant) and junior unemployment benefits that this could "encourage some young people in low income families to continue in education rather than to enter the labour force."

Once fates are set at what are seen as the appropriate levels, the question arises of whether automatic indexation to maintain these real rates ^is appropriate. A major consdieration with such a question is the redm;ed budgetry flexibility that results from automatic indexation.

The authors of this discussion paper, herein summarised, consider that the measures to increase SAS and TEAS allowances and unemployment benefits could be introduced in stages, so that some elements could be possibly introduced with less administrative and budgetry implications than others. For example;

"the first steps towards an age-related education allowance structure could in- clude paying SAS directly to the student (and on a more frequent basis) and extending SAS eligibility to all students aged I 6 regardless of year of schooling. "

In a final overview of options-The Off- ice of Youth Affairs and the Social Wel- fare Policy Secretariat state that "many of the measures which would be needed to reduce . complexity and to encourage further education participation would involve significant costs or major structural changes. Discussion of the options must, from the points of view of young people and Australians generally, but also on the priorities to · be accorded to particular options and to income support for young people as compare4 to other areas where there have also been urgent calls for government action."

The propose of this paper has been to id(intify a number of possible basic principles for the income support arrangements, to examine the major issues of concern and to present a number of illus- trative options. The paper aims to provide .a basis for public discussion of the princ-

iples, issues, options and thereby to assist . the Commonwealth government in devel-

oping its policies for young people.

□□□□□□

The discussion paper carried with it an invitation ''from other interested persons, bodies or organisations", in addition to the _Commonwealth/State Departments, to forward fheir comments and suggest- ions to:

The Director,

Office of Education and Youth Affairs, P.O. BOX 826,

WODEN ACT 2606 Policy Co-Ordinator,

Social Welfare Policy Secretariat, P.O BOX 1,

WODEN ACT 2606 ..

TABLE 1

ESIMATED FULL YEAR COST OF INCREASING RATES OF SOCIAL SECURITY PENSIONS AND BENEFITS AND EDUCATION ALLOWANCF.S BY

$1 A WEEK

Estimated Full Year Cost

Social Security * UB - 16 and 17 years

- 18 and over

Family Allowances

Additional pension and benefit for chi,ldren

Education SAS

TEAS - at .home

- away from home - independent

$3m

$2lm

$225m

$42m

$3m

$2m

$lm

$2m

*Based on estimated numbers of pension.ers at December 1983 and averaqe numbers qf beneficiaries in 1983-84.

□□□□□□

D □□·□ DD

□□□□□□

TABLE 2

CCMPARI~ONS OF MAXIMUM RATES OF INCOME SUPPORT UNDER THE MAJOR PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AT MARCH 1984

Programs Comoared Differences in Weekly Rates of Assistance;

In favour of

~ ~ .llll.

( 1) SAS and UB (16-17) (a) $14. 38 to

Families generally $19. 63

Social security families ( b1 $2.38 to

$7. 63 (2) TEAS (at heme) anci UB (16-17)

Social security families (b) $7.58 (3) TEAS (away from oome) and UB (16-17)

Social security families ( b) $29.60 (4) TEAS ( at heme) and UB ( 18 and over) (cl

Families generally

Social security families (bl

$33.02

$21.02 (5) TEAS (away fran heme) and UB ( 18 and over) ( )

Families generally c $11.00

Social security families (b) $1.00

(6) SAS and TEAS (at home) $9.96 to

All families $15. 21

(7) SAS and TEAS (away from home) $31.98 to

All families $37. 23

.li.Qt.e.s..i.

(a) Family allowances are payable· to families for SAS students but not for unemployment beneficiary children.

(bl Additional pension/benefit is payable to families for SAS and TEAS students ( other than a student woo woul1 be regarded as independent for social security purposes) but not for memployment beneficiary children.

(cl Single persons without dependants.

N .B. Incidentals allowance for TEAS . tudents is nc' included in the above · calculations nor are earni~s ' ·an part-time work or incane from other sources taken into accowt.

PLANET Page 7

(8)

Non-Sexist Guidelines For Meetings

A

any student functions exclude a large number of women students.

This has perhaps •been unintent- ional; the organiser's oversights resulting from a lack of understanding of the spec- ial interests and needs of women student members.

These guidelines are designed to assist student organisers, activists and staff of student organisations when planning or co-ordinating a conference or meeting, by outlining the importance of conducting a non-sexist function and the means of doing so.

·1n addition to the general problem of having their interests overlooked, women students often face a hostile or indiffer- ent meeting environment organised to cater primarily to men. Women have felt uncomfortable in such a situation and unable to fully participate in discussions and decision-making.

These guidelines explain how to organise a function without excluding or denig- rating women delegates. They point out the importance of creating a non-sexist atmosphere and explain how sexist behaviour, particularly sexual harassment, should be discouraged.

The guidelines are by no means exhaustive and do not attempt to cover all aspects of sexist behaviour and its effects on women.

In presenting these guidelines, ,it is rec- ognised that all interest groups have the right to organise autonomously and determine their own membership. However, where the group is made up of, or represents both sexes, then the principles of aff- irmative action should be applied: there should be equal numbers of men and women in all positions.

ORGANISING THE FUNCTION 1. The planning group for your function should be made up equally of men and women. All aspects of planning and organisation should be shared between men and women on the planning group. In general, don't be confined to thinking that only one person should be fully responsible for one task. Tasks· and respons- ibilities should be shared as widely as is practical.

2. The planning group should ensure that there are equal numbers of men and women acting as officials at the function.

3. When going to press for conference publicity make sure half of the spokes- persons are women. Do not trivialise or ignore women's issues. In so doing you are trivialising and ignoring 52% of the population.

4. When preparing publicity material use non-sexist language. For example, address speeches and letters to men and women, students, friends etc. Consider the sudience is made up equally of men and women. Sign the letter on behalf of the group, as yours sincerely, faithfully, in solidarity or comradeship; not as yours fraternally.

5. When planning the conference agenda, ensure topics to be covered are of rele- vance to women, as students or as members of a club. That is do not direct the agenaa to men only.

6. Arrange for a childcare worker to be present for the first hour or so of the function. This will ensure that those parents who were unable to inform you of thier childcare needs, or did not know it was available, will be catered for without inconveniencing other delegates. Al- though it is not ideal "industrial practice"

arrange for a childcare worker to stay on

PLANET Page 8

Last week QIT Union Council passed a motion stating that sexist language and references be banned during Council meetings and remov- ed from the meeting minutes. The National Women's Collective from the Women's Department of the Australian Union of Students bas pre- pared a guide for the non-sexist organisation of students meetings and

1 J:.P.nferences.

if needed. Explain fully the uncertain nature of the position. Contact your state barnch of the National Asscociation of Community-based Childcare for information about award rates and conditions.

7. Organising a social function.

a) The social event at a conrerence 1s ot~

ten a crucial means of allowing all delegates ·to relax, and to fully participate. If women are alienated or excluded here, they will be throughouf the function.

Plan it carefully. The entertainment you or~ise for your delegates will be indic- ative· of the nature of the conference itself.

b) It is extremely important that thP. interests and needs of women delegates are not overlooked.

c) Chooses a form of entertainment which will be acceptable to and enjoy- able to both women and men. Social functions must be non-sexist in conduct

and organisation. '

d) Don't patronise any organisations which support sexist behaviour. In particular, don't patronise any aspect of the sex industry; it exploits its workers, endorses sexists behaviour and promotes violence against women.

e) Don't assume that the women delegates will entertain the men.

8. Choosing a Venue

a) Ensure that the venue has an adequate public address system.

b) Ensure that the venue is accessible for disabled people. If ther~ are two or more levels, ensure that there are adequate lifts and ramps, that doors are wide enough for wheelchairs and that there are toilets for the disabled. Ensure that disabled people won't be excluded from any part of the function.

c) Make sure there is a large room for childcare. This room should be either part of the building in which the function is being held, or within close walking distance.

d) Ensure that there is a seperate space for women to meet throughout the meeting proceedings.

e) If you are organisiftg a camp or over- night ·event, provide ·the option of seperate sleeping quarters.

f) If If an over night camp of function is being organised and food and toiletries are being supplied, including tampons and napkins on your shopping list.

g) Choose a venue with adequate toilet facilities.

CONDUCTING THE FUNCTION Women must be made to feel welcome to attend and contribute to all student meetjngs and conferences. Having organised the function, agenda and venue with the intention of encouraging women to attend, you should now ensure that the manner in which meetings are conducted and the use of language doesn't exclude or denigrate women delegates.

Sexist langauge is language that exludes women, assumes all people are men and gives unequal treatment to women and men.

The importance of language, its inf- fluence upon and representation of, gender relations, is usefully explained by the following guidelines which were prepared by the Western Australian Labor Women's Organisation.

"Language is a great deall more than a means of communication. It has a political significance which cannot be ignored.

A male dominated language serves the interests of a male-sominated society . . . Sexist language is poltical in that it im- plies that 'male is normal' and 'female' is' a derivative of the male. When we say that the word 'man' means everyone, we are assuming that women don't exist or are lesser beings.

Over fifty years ago the linguist, Sapir, made a similar point. "Language," Sapir said, "powerfully conditions all thinking about social problems and processes.

Human beings do not live in the objective world alone ... but are very much at the mercy of the particular language which has become the medium of expression of their society."

There are a number of extremely simple ways of avoiding sexist language and using non-sexist terminology.

For example consider the use of terms like (generic) man, (generic) pronouns, lady instead of woman, stereotyping by assuming innate male and female char- acteristics and title of address.

Meeting proceedure, likewise, often exludes women by failing to account for the disadvantages many women exper- ience when attemtping to participate in a ritual which has been devised by men (for men). However, i_t is also quite simple to overcome these problems, to cater for women's involvement and to continue to conduct an efficient meeting in which there is minimum time wasted and maximum participation.

Rigid meeting procedure is not always necessary. Alternative, more informal was of conducting meetings ( which allow open discussion and decision-making) may often be more appropriate for new delegates of both sexes:

a) Ensure that you use non-sexist language and forms of address. For example chairperson rather than chairman. Other alternatives are, the Chair or Comrade Chair. Address delegates equally, refer to them as delegates, members, comrades, friends, and brothers and sisters. Address individuals equally, not Mr Jones and Maggie, but Jone and Maggies or Mr Jones and Ms Smith.

b) If you are using titles, use them uni- formly. For example address all doctors as such. If you address men as Mr, address women as Ms. Do not assume mar- ital status. It is irrelevant and none of your business.

c) The Chair should endeavour to allow women to speak from the floor as much as men, taking into account the probab- ility that women are less confident and should be encouraged to speak. Ensure that they are as much as male speakers, are guaranteed an attentive audience.

d) Where a speaking list is being drawn up, seek to have equal numbers of men and women.

When a woman is chairing the meeting do not assume that she is less famil- iar with meeting procedure than a male chair would be. Ensure that the Assist- ant Chair (where they are being appointed) is also a woman. Do not interrupt or seek to informally advise the Chair simply because she is a woman.

DEALING WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Any verbal or physical conduct of a sexual _ nature constitutes sexual harassment when it is unwelcomed, unwanted or repeated, when it threatens that woman's prospects for study, employment or promotion, or when it creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Sexual harassment is a form a sex dis- crimination. It discourages women from attending and participating in functions and all areas of public life. It carries with it the message women don't belong at functions, and are only objects of sexual desire or general derision. By always drawing attention to the appearance of women delegates, sexual harassment de- values the real contributions those delegates wish to make.

In combatting the occurance of sexual harassment during functions appoint one of the women conference officials as a sexual harassment contact person, and make it clear that any women who has been harassed should let her know. Also, the conference planning group should make it clear to all delegates that sexual harassment is a form of sex disrimination and won't be tolerated.

This set of guidelines is far from exhaustive and some areas will not apply to various clubs. So it it best to read and apply it with care. Hopefully they will be of use to all conference, meeting and function orhanisers on campus.

Men anrl women should be treated primarily as people, and not primarily as members of opposite sexes. Their shared humanity and common attributes should be stressed, not their gender differences.

Neither sex should be stereotyped or arb- itrarily assigned to a leading or secondary role.

Contents

Contents

~~~ · Editorial

TIW.S llfE VH>J.£.N.C.E

PO\JEIU:OL

"61\IN.ST

WE ~ [' ~ . IUCIJ . "4 : IUAIST '

THE POOi\, IS -,,,C. . ~ - TH£ f:~UIK

· ro OBCUJ~ ,. . . . ES "otl~ ti" ,. . -

~~eC:£~ . ':f,{J'c!$ : , ~1- T ~-,

CE · · :"':

Jb'u ~ ~ -··

INI - ~

C-_, S

Y · UC

Uq

: tJD : 1 AN

EXPLOlTATI , PR..£

WHERE ·· _ . · · 8Ti . ?

. . . . . . .• 14 · . ·' . . . .

'

.

~~ ~ - ---~

Credits

poss"--..

_necessary. .

A BANDAID WON'T MAKE

T

IT BETTER

"I think nearly everyone was aware we were on strike, but it may as well have fallen on deaf ears in Parliament. We are still waiting."

,...,,,,.

KN

T

PL~fifEt Page

YOUR RIGHTS

---... = = ~ ==:===~-~--- ...

H

Anarchy In Oz

--

J

in

Fast Buck's campaign is yet another example of an increasingly widespread conviction that people's wants and needs are not being ade- quately dealt with by the established political system, and the growing need they feel to find some alternative.

VOTE FOR A -- CHANGE

VOTE for NOBODY

•

.I •

. ..

• • • •

• • • • •

• NOBODY

• NOBODY

• NOBODY

• NOBODY

t NOBODY'S RUNNING. FOR YOU !

I

1

..

Non-Sexist Guidelines For Meetings

A

WE ~ [' ~ . ^IUCIJ ^. ^"4 ^: ^IUAIST ^'

: tJD : ¹ AN

VOTE ^for NOBODY

.I ^•

• • _• _• •