"What do we want? - FAIR FARES!! When do we want them - NOW!!"
"Full Fair - NOT FAIR!!"
(Chants from the crowd at the GSA 'Fair Fares' Rally, Wednesday 29/04/09)
The Fair Fares rally moves towards the city.
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Over 250 students and supporters gathered on the steps of state parliament last Wednesday (29/04) to send a loud and vibrant message that Graduate and International students need 'Fair Fares'. Earlier that day graduate students had gathered in front of the Graduate Centre at the University of Melbourne to participate in the associations Annual General Meeting, at which a vote was taken unanimously in support of the GSA campaign. At the Graduate Centre, messages of support were read from the University Council, the Committee for Melbourne and the University Provost Peter McPhee. The crowd made its way to parliament house on a brisk and spirited march, drawing in groups of students along the way. International students from Cambridge College and other private education providers were keen to participate along with students from Melbourne University, RMIT and members of a number of the peak bodies who sponsored the rally.
The Fair Fares rally in the Melbourne CBD, on the way to Parliament.
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In the lead-up to the rally, the GSA has campaigned to have as many signatures as possible on our petition to the Victorian Parliament. On the day of the rally, at parliament house, a senior representative of the Premier, Mr Yorrick Piper, received a copy of the petition and pledged to pass it on to the Premier. The final petition had over 5,000 signatures. Greens upper house MP Greg Barber also attended the rally, spoke to the crowd, and received a duplicate copy of the petition - pledging to see it tabled in parliament. The crowd made a large and lively presence on the steps of parliament, and journalists inside the parliament building came out to inform us that MPs were compelled by the noise to arise form their seats and peer out the windows.
GSA President Paul Coats chaired the entire rally, and lively speakers on the day included:
- Greg Barber - Greens Member of the Legislative Council
- Maloti Ray - GSA Research Education Officer
- Fahmi Mohammad, President of the Indonesian Students Federation Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia Australia)
- Amit Menghani - President of the Federation of Indian Students
- Nigel Palmer - Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations President
- Damien Ridgewell - President of Swinburne Student Union
- Katie Wood - RMIT Student Union Business Representative
- Melba Marginson - Executive Officer, Victorian Immigrant & Refugee Women's Centre
- Frances Lewis - Welfare Officer, University if Melbourne Student Union
- James Vigus - Queer Officer, CAPA
The GSA's Katie Jensen hands over the petition
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A number of speakers referred to the broader social and economic difficulties facing both graduate and international students, and highlighted the fact that Victoria is the worst amongst states and territories in Australia regarding the provision of transport concessions to these groups. The enthusiastic crowd voted to carry on the campaign, and call another rally at a later date. The GSA would like to thank all of those students and staff who participated on the day, and we look forward to working with you all in the future to continue the campaign until we win!