Candidate Data Appearing in the Ballot

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I believe Leadership starts with listening. My Name is Niyati Narula, a first-year Primary Education student, and I’m running for Student Director. Starting university is both exciting and challenging. Meeting new people, navigating unfamiliar systems, and finding your place can sometimes feel overwhelming. I’m living that experience right now, and that’s exactly why I want to represent you. As a first-year student, I’m learning something new every single day, and I believe we can navigate this journey together, turning little fumbles into beans of success. I am committed to bringing positive change and versatility to our student community. As Student Director, I’ll contribute to strategic decisions that shape the Swinburne Student Association, ensuring the students' needs are met. I will attend Board meetings, engage with SSA initiatives, and advocate for policies that support student wellbeing, academic success and inclusion. This role carries legal and governance responsibilities under the Corporation Act, and I’m ready to meet them with integrity, diligence and care. I will act in good faith, prevent misuse of position or information and uphold the values of transparency and accountability. Let’s create a cohesive environment that supports every student’s success. I am you, and you are me.

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Hey there! My name is Danielle Goh, and I am thrilled to be running for the role of Director. I am a second-year student here at Swinburne, and throughout my time at Swinburne, I’ve been actively involved in shaping a better student experience, from my role as President of the MSA to collaborating on various projects with student clubs and initiatives. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with my peers in the student association, mending and maintaining the connection between students and the administration, ensuring that our voices are heard and our needs are met. In the past year, I’ve worked on multiple student-led campaigns, creating spaces for students to grow, engage, and thrive. With the formation of the new Swinburne Student Association, we have an incredible opportunity to enhance our university experience like never before. More 24/7 study spaces, flexible study plans, recreational spaces, environmental responsibility, and technological innovation are a few of the many things that we are working on.

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Hi, my name is Rudra Sekhri, and I believe that the university campus should be an open, welcoming, and diverse space where students can experiment, innovate, and bring their change. I envision a university where the Swinburne Student Association empowers and fosters such a culture, where students collaborate and integrate their vision of the university. I have been fortunate that in my two years since joining Swinburne, I’ve been fortunate to been supported by the student association with my ideas and my vision of providing a platform for meaningful conversations on campus, whether that be through the founding of the Swinburne Philosophy and Ethics Club, but also through the significant support of organising TEDxSwinburne University.

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I’m running for Education lead because I want to end Swinburne’s partnerships with weapons companies, and fight for free, quality, fully-funded education for all students. Swinburne University partners with weapons companies like Boeing, BAE, Thales and Quickstep. These companies have directly aided Israel's genocide in Gaza. Swinburne is complicit - Students for Palestine is campaigning for Swinburne to cut its ties with weapons companies. Swinburne should be providing quality education that changes the world for the better. Instead, our university is run like a business. Students are churned through assignments like a degree factory, while fees keep going up. International students are treated terribly - charged massive sums to study here, with expensive accommodation and visas that restrict their rights. Our Vice Chancellor gets paid over $1 million, while teachers and staff are overworked and underpaid. I believe in free, quality, fully-funded education for all students, and an end to partnerships with weapons companies. We need more people in the Swinburne Student Association that want to fight against our university and the government to make this happen. If you believe in free education for all, and kicking weapons companies off campus, then vote [1] for Students for Palestine!

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We need a student union that will fight the cost of living crisis. The cost of living is out of control. A recent report found that not a single rental property in Australia was affordable to someone on Youth Allowance. The minimum wage and Centrelink payments are criminally low. Students unions need to put pressure on the government to raise welfare, raise the minimum wage and freeze rents. Universities are contributing to the cost of living crisis. The price of parking and food on campus is too expensive. Parking should be made free. The university should introduce a cap of $5 per meal on campus. The Vice-Chancellor should take a cut to her $1 million salary to pay for it. Vote [1] Students For Palestine for a fighting, activist SSA.

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Hey everyone, I’m Vasu Aggarwal, a student studying a Bachelor's of Business. I have been working to connect students by elevating the standard of student life provided by the students to the Swinburne students. But to achieve that, I need everyone else’s help, as my voice alone can’t bring change. I plan on making student facilities more easily affordable and providing amenities to be freely provided for any and every student present on campus. I will make sure all people feel safe and feel like they belong in the Swinburne community. I urge everyone to join me and put forward their ideas, help me in this endeavor to make these ideas come true, and be carried forward for the upcoming students.

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Students need more than barbecues from their student representatives - the SSA should organise events that involve students in the big issues on campus. The SSA should be demanding better education quality and engaging students in the fight for social issues like supporting Palestine. Our student association should use its resources to campaign against Swinburne's partnerships with weapons companies complicit in genocide. Students should be part of this fight. Our university uses student money to pursue partnerships with weapons companies while the quality of our education and the working conditions of staff worsens. Our Activities Representative should be engaging students in the campaigns around these big social questions. Vote [1] Students for Palestine for a Student Association that fights for Palestine.

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Hello everyone, my name is Charles/Charlie, and I am running for the position of Activities Officer in the SSA for 2026. In the past, I have held multiple leadership positions and been a part of student councils, all of which have shaped my ability to create change, effectively cooperate with others, and act as a leader. As your activities officer, I will strive to enhance the sense of community, bringing the students together through vibrant social nights and events and connecting new and existing students to create a more welcoming environment, ensuring that no students feel left behind or isolated.

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Our student union should fight for Palestine. Our university does research for companies complicit in the genocide in Gaza and our student union should be fighting to end those research partnerships. Student representatives across the country have been part of organising activist campaigns and protests against the ties our universities have to weapons companies. It is a shame that the Swinburne representatives this year have not done that. Student reps are best placed to get students involved in the fight for Palestine, against the far right, for queer rights and all other issues students care about. I have been an activist fighting for Palestine since 2021, and have organised and participated in protests against the growth of far right politics in this country. I have been part of organising demonstrations for queer rights, against transphobes in Melbourne. I think we need a Queer Officer that will bring these issues together, put up a fight against our university, fight for Palestine and fight the growing far right politics in our society. Vote [1] Students For Palestine for a fighting, activist SSA.

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Hi, I'm Tiffany! I'm currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Motion Design, and through my studies, I've developed a deep appreciation for creativity, diversity, and individuality in design. I believe that just like in design, every student deserves to express themselves, feel proud of their identity, and be respected for their differences. I stand with the Queer community and passionately support students. Through SSA events, I aim to celebrate diversity, build a strong sense of community, and encourage self-expression. Whether it's a Pride event, a workshop, or a casual meetup, my goal is to create spaces where students feel supported and feel free to express their true selves.

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Hi, my name is Scarlett, when entering university as an online student, I felt intimidated and disconnected from the tangible side of our fantastic university. I had never visited a Swinburne campus in person and had engaged very little with peers. This then brought forth the question: if Swinburne’s online students so rarely engage with each other, let alone their in-person counterparts, how are we able to express our views and be actively involved in the Swinburne community? Hence why I would like to act as Swinburne’s online representative to ensure that the perspectives and feelings of our fantastic online students are heard. Although online study is independent, it should not be isolating, which is why I intend to keep online students in the loop, ensuring that their voices are heard and valued to the extent that their in-person counterparts are.

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The student union needs more progressive activists and fewer members of the Labor Party. Students’ lives are going backwards. The cost of living is sky-high and the minimum wage and Centrelink are too low. Our government is giving tax breaks to billionaires while increasing funding to the military and the fossil fuel industry. Student unions should take political stands on the issues affecting students and our futures. Unfortunately, the Swinburne Student Association has refused to do this, because it is led by members of the pro-rich, pro-war, pro-fossil fuel Labor Party. We need to elect more progressive activists to the union to turn this around. Students for Palestine has spent the year organising campaigns against our government’s and university’s role in the genocide in Gaza. If elected, we will take the fight for social justice into the student union. Vote [1] Students For Palestine for a fighting, activist SSA.

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Hi, my name is Mohammad Mansouri, and I’m running to be your next Accessibility Officer because I believe every student deserves an equal opportunity to thrive at Swinburne. Having grown up alongside family and friends who faced both physical and mental accessibility challenges. My focus is on ensuring that student voices are heard and that campus services, resources, and events are genuinely inclusive. If elected, I’ll work to improve awareness, accessibility in facilities and communication, and strengthen support networks across our university. Together, we can make Swinburne a more welcoming and accessible place for everyone.

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G’day, I’m a Swinburne student, left-wing activist and I know that our university falls short in providing for its students. As a Socialist, it is disgusting what little our university will do both at home but also with regard to its ties to companies involved with the genocide of Gaza. The SSA should not stay silent and should instead let Swinburne know what students think, mainly that we do not support the killing of civilians being funded by our tuition. Part of this is that the SSA should be used to put pressure on Swinburne to cut its ties to ALL arms manufactures and weapons companies, especially so for those involved in the genocide of civilians in Gaza. It’s clear that our Vice Chancellor will do nothing to stop Swinburne's involvement, so it’s up to left-wing students to organise and advocate for what we believe in. Working as Students for Palestine has meant working with students to give them a platform to make change and become activists, and it now means keeping our student association from being a bystander to history. Vote [1] Students For Palestine for a fighting, activist SSA.

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Hi, I’m Keerthy, a PhD student at Swinburne who’s passionate about learning, connecting with people, and making student life meaningful. Beyond academics, I enjoy art, painting, calligraphy, and reading, which give me a creative outlet and a way to unwind. I also love spending time with friends and family, and I find joy in building community through shared interests and laughter. I’m running for the International Representative role because I believe student life is about more than just studies, it’s about finding a sense of belonging. Swinburne already provides wonderful opportunities and resources for international students, and I want to build on that by making them more engaging and easier to access. My goal is to celebrate our diverse community, create more opportunities for cultural exchange, and ensure every student feels their voice matters. Together, we can make Swinburne an even stronger international community.

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I think the student union should fight against the over-charging of international students and against our university being run like a business. International students are being treated like cash-cows. Between tuition and accommodation, it costs tens of thousands of dollars a year to study. Universities are making a huge profit off our education - it’s how our Vice-Chancellor can afford to pay herself over $1 million a year. Universities shouldn’t be corporations. Education should be free for both domestic and international students, like it is in many European countries. If I’m elected as International Representative, I’ll use my position to fight university management for lower fees, cheaper student accommodation and more rights for international students. Key initiatives include establishing culturally sensitive mental health services with 24/7 emergency support, and improving financial and employment assistance through transparent work rights information and partnerships for fair job opportunities. I will also champion scholarships and flexible payment options. I will ensure international students' voices influence policy decisions regarding fees, housing, and academic rules, while promoting a strong anti-discrimination framework. My commitment is to be your voice, support, and advocate, building a Swinburne that values its international community as equal partners.
Vote [1] Students For

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Hi, I’m Huyen Pham (Amelia), currently studying the Bachelor of Design (UX Interaction Design) at Swinburne with a passion for creativity and community. I enjoy working on visual storytelling, user experience, and bringing ideas to life through design. This year, I’m excited to be the Culture and Faith Representative at the Swinburne Student Association. I’m here to support and celebrate the many cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds that make our campus so special. I believe in creating a welcoming space where everyone feels included and respected.

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I think that the Swinburne Students Association should use its resources to campaign for Palestine and campaign against Islamophobia at Swinburne. Unfortunately, Swinburne management has been attacking the right of Muslim students to pray in our prayer room on campus by putting the whole building into lockdown during the Friday prayer, and putting a lock on the room which requires student ID access. Swinburne management is also trying to shift the muslim prayer room to the junction, a much smaller room than our previous one. Although the university is a public institution, the musallaah is inaccessible to the public. This prevents muslims from being able to build a community and restricts the purpose of the musallah to simply prayer, although it functions as a place for muslims to interact and build cordial relations. The genocide in Palestine, which has been ongoing since 1948, has become even worse. At swinburne, we aim to contribute to play our part in discontinuing this genocide and emphasising the importance of a free Palestinian state. Swinburne has ties with weapon companies which send arms to israel. We aim to ensure these ties are cut. Vote [1] Students For Palestine for a fighting, activist SSA.

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Hi, my name is Jaynaya and I'm running as the women's officer with Students For Palestine for the Swinburne Student Association (SSA). I'm studying a Bachelor of Arts and have been a longtime socialist activist and part of many campaigns that fight for a free Palestine and social justice. The SSA should be an fighting, activist body that takes up political questions that matter to students whether that is the cost of education or opposing the genocide in Gaza. Students, with the support of their student associations, have a long history of playing an important role in struggles against inequality and oppression, such as opposing the Vietnam War and South African apartheid. I believe our student association can and should be a leading force in the campaign against the Australian government's complicity in Israel's continued bombardment and starvation of Palestinians, as well as calling for an end to our own university's ties to weapons companies like Boeing, Thales, and Quickstep, which supply to Israel. Vote [1] Students For Palestine for a fighting, activist SSA.

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Hi! I'm Argyro Pollakis, and I am nominating myself for the Women's Representative Role. I would like to help our community grow and feel like a better and safer space for everyone, and very importantly, have an insight on how we can improve women's experience together as one community! I would like to hear from you, hear what you have to say! Your opinion matters, and your experience in our committee is key to what we can do to maximize the best experience at Swinburne! Whether it's through events or support initiatives, I want to help. Together, we can build a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported. Let’s shape this community together.

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Hey everyone! My name is Tess Robb, and I am currently pursuing my double degree in Law and Criminology. I am running as President because I am a large advocate for student rights, ensuring that every student has a platform to voice their concerns and has someone in their corner. I am passionate about ensuring that every student feels heard and welcome on the Swinburne campus. Ensuring that we have systems for transparency and events that are consistent, active, and student-led. In the past, I have fought for student rights, bigger and better welfare services on our campus, and more transparent procedures through all levels of Swinburne; these are initiatives I am keen to continue to fight for.

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G’day! My name is Parsa Ghodsieh and I’m a first year Law and Arts student here at Swinburne. As someone who is a proud Immigrant, proud person of colour, and who proudly grew up in regional Victoria I’ve garnered many diverse experiences and perspectives in life that I am confident will enable me to truly reflect your voices in the National Union of Students. I commit to fighting for Swinburne students whether rain, hail or shine; and I believe we can achieve great things ‘Together’.

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I am Mahin Hasan Siddique, a 3rd year Bachelor of Health Science student majoring in Psychology and Forensic Science. For the past one and a half years, I have proudly served as President of the Swinburne University Psychology Association, and I am currently the 2025 School of Health Science Undergraduate Representative. In these roles, I have worked to engage students through events and workshops, delivered mental health programs, and advocated for students facing challenges such as academic integrity allegations. These experiences have taught me that student wellbeing, fairness, and representation must always come first. As your NUS delegate, I will focus on achievable goals within the next year, including: • Expanding mental health support by pushing for more free counselling sessions, peer-support programs, and awareness campaigns that reduce stigma. • Ensuring fairness in academic integrity processes by advocating for clearer guidelines, quicker resolutions, and support for students navigating allegations. • Strengthening student engagement through open forums and surveys that connect NUS campaigns directly to what students want and need. • Improving international student support, ensuring better orientation, inclusion programs, and advocacy for the challenges faced by international students. I am committed to delivering practical, student-focused change that improves everyday student life.

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Hello everyone, my name is Charles/Charlie, and I am running for the position of Activities Officer in the SSA for 2026. In the past, I have held multiple leadership positions and been a part of student councils, all of which have shaped my ability to create change, effectively cooperate with others, and act as a leader. As your activities officer, I will strive to enhance the sense of community, bringing the students together through vibrant social nights and events and connecting new and existing students to create a more welcoming environment, ensuring that no students feel left behind or isolated.

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Hello Swinburne Students! I am Baraneetharan Ganesan, currently pursuing a Master's in Business Information Systems. As an international student, I am very enthusiastic about my student life and fervently believe it is a privilege and an inspiring opportunity to be able to represent all of my fellow students at the Swinburne Student Association (SSA). Through the support of my peers, I hope to make SSA more accessible and even more transparent. I would like to stand back and, for once, have the voices of the students on campus be heard, but also be the one to aid in making their solutions become a reality. Together, we can build a more connected and transparent student community. I am ready to listen, learn, and lead, your voice is my mission.

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Hey everyone, I’m Vasu Aggarwal, a student studying a Bachelor's of Business. I have been working to connect students by elevating the standard of student life provided by the students to the Swinburne students. But to achieve that, I need everyone else’s help, as my voice alone can’t bring change. I plan on making student facilities more easily affordable and providing amenities to be freely provided for any and every student present on campus. I will make sure all people feel safe and feel like they belong in the Swinburne community. I urge everyone to join me and put forward their ideas, help me in this endeavor to make these ideas come true, and be carried forward for the upcoming students.

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My name is Manak Singh, and I am nominating myself for the role of Student Director at Swinburne University of Technology. Over the years, I have held several leadership positions, including captaining my swim team and setting national records, as well as serving as Head Boy at my school. These experiences have strengthened my ability to lead, collaborate, and deliver measurable outcomes. • As Student Director, my focus would be on representing the student voice with integrity and ensuring it contributes constructively to the university's broader vision. • If elected, I'll focus on: 1. Making student life at Swinburne more engaging and inclusive 2. Building stronger communication channels between students and the university 3. Pushing for the changes and improvements that matter most to you.

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Hi, my name is Rudra Sekhri, and I believe that the university campus should be an open, welcoming, and diverse space where students can experiment, innovate, and bring their change. I envision a university where the Swinburne Student Association empowers and fosters such a culture, where students collaborate and integrate their vision of the university. I have been fortunate that in my two years since joining Swinburne, I’ve been fortunate to been supported by the student association with my ideas and my vision of providing a platform for meaningful conversations on campus, whether that be through the founding of the Swinburne Philosophy and Ethics Club, but also through the significant support of organising TEDxSwinburne University.

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I believe Leadership starts with listening. My Name is Niyati Narula, a first-year Primary Education student, and I’m running for Student Director. Starting university is both exciting and challenging. Meeting new people, navigating unfamiliar systems, and finding your place can sometimes feel overwhelming. I’m living that experience right now, and that’s exactly why I want to represent you. As a first-year student, I’m learning something new every single day, and I believe we can navigate this journey together, turning little fumbles into beans of success. I am committed to bringing positive change and versatility to our student community. As Student Director, I’ll contribute to strategic decisions that shape the Swinburne Student Association, ensuring the students' needs are met. I will attend Board meetings, engage with SSA initiatives, and advocate for policies that support student wellbeing, academic success and inclusion. This role carries legal and governance responsibilities under the Corporation Act, and I’m ready to meet them with integrity, diligence and care. I will act in good faith, prevent misuse of position or information and uphold the values of transparency and accountability. Embrace every fumble and celebrate every milestone. Let’s create a cohesive environment that supports every student’s success. I am

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This year socialists in the National Union of Students have organised protests for Palestine, a national student referendum for Palestine, and a campaign against the repression of pro-Palestine speech on university campuses. They could do this because students at campuses like Swinburne voted for pro-Palestine activists to be their representatives in the National Union of Students. If you think we should keep pushing for the Australian government to end its complicity in genocide, but also provide free education to students, then vote for me and other Students For Palestine representatives for the National Union of Students.

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The National Union of Students needs to be part of the fight for Palestine, and against the profit-driven complicity of our universities in the genocide. This year activists in the NUS have been part of the student movement for Palestine, making it a national student issue. We need more student representatives like this that put up a fight against social injustice.
Almost every university in the country does research for weapons companies complicit in the genocide, and our government is equally complicit. I’ve been an activist for Palestine since 2021 and have organised demonstrations against the Labor government for its role in the genocide. Our universities and our government cannot hide their complicity. Vote [1] Students for Palestine for student representatives that will put up a fight for Palestine.

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Hi, I’m Ada, I’m a student activist. I’m running for a position in the NUS because I think the NUS should be a fighting body to stand up for the issues students care about. I stand staunchly on the side of Palestine and have been involved in activism for Palestine since 2022. I have also stood up for workers’ rights, attending the big Woolies warehouse strikes in solidarity last year. I have stood for women’s rights, organising antifascist demonstrations against transphobes and for abortion rights. And I stand against racism, attending the protests against police violence after the most recent murder of a homeless man in Footscray at the hands of racist police. I’m a dedicated socialist and I bring that to everything I do. In the NUS I’ve argued to push the organisation to stand on the side of Palestine and take an approach of mobilising students to come out into the streets against the government and our universities. The NUS has a lot of potential to oppose the government’s complicity in genocide, I want to continue working to make it stand up and fight back.

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I think the National Union of Students should fight for Palestine. Our government and our universities are complicit in the genocide in Gaza. Student unions have a responsibility to organise campaigns to put pressure on our leaders to stop aiding Israel’s war and stop working with the weapons companies arming it. This year, left-wing activists in the National Union of Students organised the nationwide student referendum for Palestine. Thousands of students around the country sent a message to politicians and university Vice Chancellors that we will not be quiet while they back genocide. We need to continue the fight on campuses and on the streets. Unfortunately, the National Union of Students is dominated by members of the Labor Party, who see it as a stepping stone to a job in parliament. I think we need more pro-Palestine activists and fewer members of the pro-war Labor Party in our national union. Vote [1] Students For Palestine for a National Union of Students that stands with Palestine.

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The National Union of Students represents students across the country - but lots of people don’t know what it is! I want the Students For Palestine team to get elected to represent Swinburne students in the National Union to make it more relevant to students’ lives by making the union fight for students’ interests and take positions on social justice issues. Our union should keep fighting for Palestine, fight for free education for all students, demand action on the cost of living, and oppose our universities’ ties to weapons companies. Vote [1] Social Justice for the National Union of Students.

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We need a student union that will fight the cost of living crisis. The cost of living is out of control. A recent report found that not a single rental property in Australia was affordable to someone on Youth Allowance. The minimum wage and Centrelink payments are criminally low. Students unions need to put pressure on the government to raise welfare, raise the minimum wage and freeze rents. Universities are contributing to the cost of living crisis. The price of parking and food on campus is too expensive. Parking should be made free. The university should introduce a cap of $5 per meal on campus. The Vice-Chancellor should take a cut to her $1 million salary to pay for it. Vote [1] Students For Palestine for a fighting, activist SSA.

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The National Union of Students should have something to say about the appalling conditions students face today and the crimes in Palestine. My vision for the National Union of Students is a union that is not afraid to combat the Australian government on Palestine and other political causes. As a student, I have been involved in activism around Melbourne. I’ve worked to organise demonstrations in Dandenong for Palestine and have participated in demonstrations for queer rights, against racism and more. To the National Union of Students, I will bring my passion and capacity for organising mass demonstrations against the status quo. I don’t believe we should be grovelling at the feet of the Australian government for tiny concessions. Students are the future of the Australian workforce; we should have a bit of dignity and demand more from the government. Vote [1] Students for Palestine for the National Union of Students.