Item HT 4679 Badge - I Support My Student Union, Australia, 1994-2005

Summary

This badge, alternatively known as a button, was created between 1994 and 2005. The slogan 'I Support My Student Union' links it to the debates about Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) at Australian universities. Voluntary Student Unionism was made law by the Howard government in 2005. Advocates of Voluntary Student Unionism argued that the enforced payment of fees to a university's student union was equivalent to forced unionisation. Opponents of VSU claim that if students are not collated together into one union, they have no unified voice. The debate became something of a political football between the ALP and the Liberal Party.

Physical Description

This is a circular, plastic coated metal badge in blue, white and black. The white text appears within a blue starburst motif, which itself sits on a black background. A metal pin is attached to the back.