Sydney University implicated in police violence
Leaked documents have revealed collusion between the University of Sydney and local police during recent strikes. The information directly implicates the University in the heavy-handed police response at picket lines during the industrial dispute with staff.
Numerous incidents of police violence were reported. A number of injuries were sustained by staff, and students who supported their campaign.
Vice-chancellor Michael Spence has repeatedly denied claims that the police and university worked together during the strikes. However, student and University of Sydney Union (USU) board director Tom Raue has publicly divulged excerpts of correspondence indicating otherwise.
The communication shows that a senior university staff member had in fact questioned police about why they weren’t doing more to break up the picket lines. In response, a police officer advised that they were “not in a position to do anything but follow [protesters], unless instructed otherwise by the university”.
Rather than protesting the university’s actions, the USU board has moved to censure Raue for the leak. He has been accused of breaching his duties as a USU director and faces dismissal from his position.
This is an attempt by USU, operated by a notoriously right wing board, to side publicly with the university rather than the staff and students affected by the police violence.
After speaking with members of the USU executive, Raue has said it’s clear that “their main concern [is] preserving [their] relationship with the university”.
As with other student unions around the country, USU receives the bulk of its funding from the Student Services and Amenities Fee, which is doled out by the university each year. The board is more concerned with preserving its relationship with the university than defending a student who has spoken out in the interests of staff and students.
