Christian university students have joined 4000 other demonstrators protesting government plans to introduce voluntary student unionism (VSU) warning university ministries are under threat.
Over a dozen members from the University of Technology Sydney's Christian group, Credo, were among the 300-plus students that congregated in front of the institution’s Tower Building yesterday (April 28) to vocally oppose the federal government's proposed abolition of compulsory student fees.
Credo Senior Staff Worker, Paul Winch says the government's policy may negatively impact campus gospel ministry.
"A strong union provides a platform in the university for gospel ministry," Mr Winch says.
"Without a strong union, gospel ministry is at the whim of the university itself and so can easily be taken away depending on the university's attitude to religion on campus."
University students currently pay compulsory annual union fees, giving them access to a variety of clubs, societies and services including Christian groups.
VSU is one of changes the government plans to push through the Senate when it takes control of the upper house in July.
Its introduction will see the establishment of a "user pays' system for services such as childcare, health care, sporting clubs and counselling.
Credo Vice-President, James Sneddon says Christian groups rely on student unions to provide financial support.
"We get a lot of assistance from respective student unions in terms of financial grants and access to university facilities. We use a lot of these resources in our ministry activities," Mr Sneddon says.
"If the funds dry up, ministry will still go on but it will make it more difficult in terms of the kinds of things we can do."
President of the University of Sydney's Evangelical Union " the University's largest student organisation " Ryan Smartt says VSU threatens campus culture.
"It would be a shame for it to be introduced because it would change university lifestyle and have a significant impact on the way we do ministry. That would be the biggest concern for us."
However, the Bishop of South Sydney Robert Forsyth, who was chaplain to Sydney University from 1983 to 2000, believes students should protest for worthwhile causes, but VSU is not one of them.
"The idea of students protesting the government to force other students to pay union fees strikes me as rather odd. I have a low view of the protests."
Mr Sneddon is still hopeful that even if a demonstration doesn't impact the government's plans for VSU, an appeal to Christian politicians might.
"There is not a lot of optimism that the government will change their minds after these demonstrations," Mr Sneddon says.
"Writing letters and approaching people like John Anderson and other Christian politicians and explaining how VSU could affect university ministry might have more of an impact."
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