Contents Constitution, Regulations and By-Laws .................. 1 Administration ....................................................... 8 Unionism .............................................................. 20 Education ............................................................. 48 All policy submissions have been reproduced without alternation or editorialisation with the exception of explicit language. Welfare ................................................................. 82 Questions regarding spelling, grammar and interpretation should Women's ............................................................ 114 be directed to the relevant policy author. Queer/LGBTIQA .................................................. 144 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ................. 165 Disabilities .......................................................... 172 International ....................................................... 184 Ethno-Cultural .................................................... 188 Small and Regional ............................................. 208 Miscellaneous..................................................... 214 NUS National Conference Policy Document 2017 | Contents Delegations are a mechanism by which the powers of different bodies or persons within an organisation are managed. Constitution, Regulations The National Executive within the NUS can delegate its powers but a comprehensive record of these delegations is not kept which represents a and By-Laws governance risk to the NUS. Platform: Delegations within the NUS should be clearly recorded. Contents: Actions: CRBL 1.1: Record those Delegations ................................................................... 1 The National Executive will in the use of its delegations power under R28.2 CRBL 1.2: Term Limits ......................................................................................... 1 maintain a list of “matters reserved to the National Executive” which are the matters it has not delegated to any Committee or Officer. CRBL 1.3: Removal from Office ........................................................................... 2 CRBL 1.4: Relationship with CISA and CAPA ....................................................... 3 The National Executive will in the use of its delegations power under R28.2 maintain a register of delegations that will record what functions of National CRBL 1.5: Campus Resolutions ........................................................................... 3 Executive have been delegated to Committees and Officers. CRBL 1.6: Number of Delegates .......................................................................... 4 The National Executive will in the use of its delegations power under R28.2 not CRBL 1.7: Further Education ............................................................................... 5 delegate: CRBL 1.8: Account Signatories ............................................................................ 5 1. this power of delegation; CRBL 1.9: Returning Officer ................................................................................ 6 2. the powers, authorities, duties or functions that are required to be CRBL 1.10: Independent Returning Officer ......................................................... 6 exercised by the National Executive by written law; 3. any matter that requires an absolute majority or special majority vote of CRBL 1.11: Election of Delegates ........................................................................ 6 the National Executive; and 4. any matter determined by the constitution, regulations, by-laws or policy to not be delegatable. National Union of Students Incorporated Moved: Liam O’Neill (National Executive) A.C.T. Reg. No. A 01837 Seconded: Megan Lee (National Executive) NOTICE OF AMENDMENTS TO THE NUS CONSTITUTION REGULATIONS AND BY –LAWS CRBL 1.2: Term Limits Notice is given that at the annual meeting of National Conference to be held on Preamble: 11th to 15th December 2017 it is intended that the following amendments be The current provision relating to the term limits for NUS positions does not proposed to the constitution regulations and by-laws: clearly encompass all State Officer positions and General National Executive Members. It is proposed a much clearer term limit be adopted to clarify this. CRBL 1.1: Record those Delegations Amendment: Preamble: That R32.1 be deleted and replaced with: NUS National Conference Policy Document 2017 | Constitution, Regulations and By-Laws 1 32.1 A person who has been elected to a position in NUS three times in total is 55.6 Where a member of the Discipline Committee is subject to the processes of not eligible to nominate as a officer. Further a person may not hold the same the Discipline Committee then the National Executive shall elect another office more than twice. member of the Discipline Committee. Moved: Liam O’Neill (National Executive) 55.7 A quorum of the Discipline Committee shall be two (2) members. Seconded: Megan Lee (National Executive) 55.8 The Discipline Committee shall be permitted to determine procedures to be used in its deliberation. These procedures shall include: CRBL 1.3: Removal from Office The calling of meetings; Preamble: Meeting by telephone or in a manner other than in person; The NUS Constitution currently does not make provision for the removal from office of its officers except for failing to submit reports or turn up to meetings. An Submitting of written reports of the meetings and decisions of the Disputes officer currently may be removed otherwise by calling for a special meeting of Committee to the National Executive, including minority reports where relevant; National Conference to remove them. This prevents any form of removal from misconduct or adverse behaviour. Keeping of proper records of charges, proceedings and decisions. This amendment proposes to establish a process for removal from office. 55.10 The Discipline Committee must at all times ensure procedural fairness. 55.11 The National General Secretary is to provide every assistance practical to Amendment: the Discipline Committee as requested. Where the National General Secretary is That R55 be deleted and replaced with: subject to the processes of the Discipline Committee the National Executive shall appoint another National Officer to assist the Discipline Committee. R55 Removal 55.12 The Discipline Committee processes shall be commenced by providing an 55.1 Officers may be removed by the body that elected or appointed them by allegation of misconduct to one of the members of the Discipline Committee. resolution passed by an absolute majority. 55.13 The member of the Discipline Committee in receipt of an allocation of 55.2 The National Executive may remove an officer by a resolution passed by a misconduct shall forward the allegation within seven (7) days to all members of two thirds majority (⅔) upon the recommendation of the Discipline Committee. the Discipline Committee and the Officer accused of misconduct. 55.3 The Discipline Committee shall comprise three persons, who shall be elected 55.14 Misconduct shall comprise any of the following: by a seventy five (75) percent majority of the National Executive, for a term of one (1) year. One of the persons elected shall not identify as male. A breach of the constitution, regulations or by-laws; 55.4 For the election each member of the Discipline Committee shall be elected A breach of the Act or the Regulations; in a single ballot, not with the use of proportional representation and to be elected a person must receive a seventy (75) percent majority in place of a Conduct unbecoming of an Officer; simple majority. Conduct that brings the NUS or its reputation into disrepute; 55.5 Casual vacancies in the Discipline Committee shall be filled on the same basis as 55.4. Making a false statement or declaration, knowing it to be false or not believing it to be true during the course of any Discipline Committee process. NUS National Conference Policy Document 2017 | Constitution, Regulations and By-Laws 2 55.15 The Discipline Committee must: Due to NUS’s recognition of the Council of International Students Australia as the representative organisation of International Students, the position of National Hear the matter referred to it as expeditiously and informally as possible while International Officer should be questioned given a number of campuses are ensuring procedural fairness; paying twice for the representation of International Students. Give the Officer(s) involved written details of the matter; It is therefore proposed to abolish the position of National International Officer and grant invitation to National Executive meetings to CISA and CAPA. Give the Officer(s) involved one (1) weeks notice of any meeting of the Committee hearing the matter, or any lesser period of notice which is adequate Amendment: in the circumstances; That all instances of “National International Officer” be deleted including R31.1 (j) and B80. Give the Officer(s) involved the real opportunity to answer the matter; and That R27 be amended to insert: Report to the National Executive within one (1) month of the receipt of any matter. 27.3 The President of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations Inc. and the Council of International Students Australia shall be invited to every 55.16 The Discipline Committee may inform itself of any matter that it considers meeting of National Executive. relevant to issues referred to it in any way it sees appropriate, including