Left victory in UTS election

Left wing students have won an important victory in the union elections at the University of Technology Sydney.

Members of Socialist Alternative teamed up with the Grassroots Left, which includes the Young Greens, anarchists and non-aligned individuals. The other group running in the election was Elevate, composed of the National Labor Students (the Labor left) and Student Unity (the Labor right).

Our campaign was run on an explicitly left wing basis. We argued against the $2.3 billion education cuts and in support of progressive causes like same sex marriage and refugee rights. Throughout the election, Elevate campaigners attempted to take credit for actions against the education cuts, in spite of the fact that throughout the year their candidates were often obstacles to that campaign.

Not only did we win more that 50 percent of the Students Representative Council, as well as the president and secretary positions, but Socialist Alternative’s candidates won four out of seven National Union of Students delegate positions.

The National Union of Students is the peak body representing students from university campuses around the country and remains one of the most important bodies through which students can fight for their rights. The UTS victory strengthens the argument for NUS to intensify its campaign in defence of education and against the cuts being planned by the Liberal government.