President Grilled While Libs Bake
Monday, April 23 2012
After a tough interview on 3AW, UMSU President Mark Kettle faces questions about the Student Union not laying a wreath for ANZAC day.
The University of Melbourne Liberal Club raised $340 at a bake sale today to fund a wreath to be laid at the Shrine on ANZAC Day. The sale was prompted by the University of Melbourne Student Union decision not to lay a wreath on behalf of the Union at the Shrine this coming Wednesday.
UMSU president Mark Kettle has been forced to defend the move, after Charley Daniel contacted Neil Mitchell’s program on 3AW this morning to raise the issue. Minutes of students’ council meetings refer to Mr Kettle saying the Union would not lay a wreath because it “glorifies war,” but Mr Kettle has strongly denied this on air this morning and to Farrago this afternoon.
Ms Daniel said that discussion about buying a wreath was suppressed by Mr Kettle at two meetings, with minutes showing that this issue was not voted on at the meeting on 30 January. Discussion centred on whether laying a wreath would condemn or support war and overlap with University of Melbourne events on campus.
After the discussion, a second motion was made, moving that the original motion not be voted on. This subsequent motion was passed, resulting in the original motion to lay a wreath not going to vote.
Ms Daniel said at the bake sale today that it was “disappointing” that the issue had gone so far, citing the increased funds available to UMSU in light of the SSAF.
Kon Moisidis, a member of the Liberal Club present at today’s sale, labelled the event a “very good success” but said it was “regrettable that we had to take action in to our own hands.”
Mr Kettle maintains his position saying “the liberals were in the union in 2010 and undertook no efforts to put forward a wreath when they were in control of the Student Union. They have never brought forward a motion of this in the past.”
Mr Moisidis told Farrago that the issue shows “how out of touch the student representatives are from the student body.” Mr Kettle has labelled the push for a wreath “playing politics with quite a serious issue.”
The Student Union has never laid a wreath at the Shrine, according to Mr Kettle, “nor has any other student union, nor could we find any record of any other trade union as well.”
Forty people, including members of the Liberal Club are expected to present two wreaths at the Shrine on Wednesday after the ceremony. One has been donated by Kelly O’Dwyer, a federal Liberal MP. One wreath will be on behalf of the Liberal Club, and the other on behalf of students, according to Ms Daniel.
Mr Kettle committed on air this morning to facilitate discussion around laying a wreath at the Shrine on Wednesday at tomorrow’s students’ council meeting.
Audio of Mark Kettle and Charley Daniel on Neil Mitchell’s morning program is available here.
Comments
Thanks for running this article – I think it clearly states the position of both sides on this issue.
While Kettle has handled this incredibly poorly (especially on the radio), it is a shame that the Liberal Club saw fit to use the spirit of ANZAC Day to blackmail a student body into spending this money. Student Unions have no place or expectation to commit funds to these efforts.
$200 for a wreath? I’ll make one up for $120! Call me!
Kon Moisidis is the 2012 president of the Liberal Club, not only a member of the club
What happened to Liberals wanting to spend union money only on things that directly affect students??? Kon Moisidis is the only “one out of touch with the student body” for thinking that students care one iota about this wreath. Biggest non issue ever.
I think it’s very petty for the liberals to turn this into a huge deal. Since when has there been an obligation for organisations like a student union to lay a wreath on ANZAC day?
Although, Mark Kettle did make a huge mess of himself and by extension the student union on the radio. That’s completely separate to the issue though.
I think all of you are missing the point here – the student union used $15,000 of the students’ money promoting a union that all of us are forced to be apart of. The “womyns” room also spent thousands (of students money) on a mural for their room – this room will see maybe 50 Uni students go through it this year —> now that’s a waste!
Considering this, it is clear to me that Mr Moisidis’ comment about the student union being out of touch with the student body’s wishes is true!
I come from a big millitary family and now I pay over $200 in fees for this union and out of all the events that the union puts on, an ANZAC wreath is mostly where I would like my money spent.
Jake – I’m neither side of politics but support what the liberal club has done. They seem to be the only people standing up for this issue and making it known to students. This is not “blackmail”…and if you think it is, perhaps you need a reality check.
Elliot – you do realize that Melbourne Uni has a long history with the defense force? A lot of the alumni (including my relatives) are currently serving and a $200 wreath is not a lot of money to spend. Perhaps you need to start considering other students (and not just yourself) and how they feel about this issue.
Tim – there is no obligation but again, like everyone else on this page, seem to be missing the point; it’s students money that this union is playing with. I saw no vote on this issue – Mr Kettle just assumed about student views instead of asking the students. Again, $200 is not a lot!
It was Mr Kettle who turned this into a “political issue”, not the liberal club – I’m sure if any other union club asked for $200 to lay a wreath Mr Kettle would be all over it.
And just finish up by addressing Mr Kettle’s last point about no other union etc have ever donated a wreath – every year sees a new “breed” of students come through the Uni; you can’t seriously tell me that with new students doesn’t come new opinions? Quite clearly what Mr Kettle is talking about is an outdated view of student opinions.
Just to address an inaccuracy posted by “disgusted”: The Wom*n’s department spent $900 on a mural, not “thousands” to pay a female artist reasonably for her work and cover paint supplies etc. As a result of the renovations of the room, with many thanks to the new funding available through the SSAF, use of the Wom*n’s room and attendance at Wom*n’s Department events has increased dramatically. I have seen many more than 50 different women using the room. Any further concerns about Wom*n’s department spending, which is not from the same account that the wreath would have been paid for, can be directed to the wom*n’s department via their email or their blog, both found on this website.
Actually Kon Moisidis isn’t President of the Liberal Cub, it’s held jointly by Hannah Pandel and James Doolan.
I heard Mark Kettle forgot to ‘facilitate discussion’ on the issue at yesterday’s student council meeting by staging a walk out with fellow labor left (ALP Club) members. This union is unrepresentative swill!!!
I thought I was President of the Liberal Club, the last 6 have just been doing my bidding.
Jake
421 days ago