Farewell gesture . . . A protester signals to Prime
Minister John Key after the opening of the refurbished
Robertson Library yesterday morning. Photo Gerard O'Brien
A noisy demonstration from student protesters disrupted a
visit by Prime Minister John Key to the Otago Polytechnic
campus yesterday morning, when he officially opened the
University of Otago's refurbished Robertson Library.
The rowdy reception from the more than 300 placard-waving and
chanting protesters did not deter a relaxed Mr Key, who later
accepted an "I love OUSA" T-shirt from student
representatives inside the library.
The Otago University Students' Association organised
yesterday's demonstration in protest at the Government's
support of Act New Zealand's proposed Freedom of Association
Bill, which threatens to remove compulsory membership of
student associations.
The Bill, which had been stuck in procedural limbo because of
delaying tactics by Opposition parties, came up for debate in
Parliament on Wednesday - a move that was earlier than
expected and upset student associations.
Mr Key acknowledged the "boisterous and warm welcome" he
received.
The Robertson Library, which has been refurbished by the
university at a cost of $10 million, was another example of
the positive, university-inspired progress being made in
Dunedin, Mr Key said.
"This university, in my view, is world-class. You are doing
an outstanding job and this new development, alongside the
[Forsyth Barr] stadium, are examples which speak volumes
about the exciting progress, future and heart of Dunedin."
Police had moved to contain the crowd when Mr Key arrived, as
protesters surged forward across Union St, but one rogue
protester managed to get up close as Mr Key left the area.
Mr Key ignored the protesters during the visit and told the
Otago Daily Times he would not meet the demonstrators.
"I don't think I'll talk to them, but we are happy to have to
listen to their case and cause."
The impending legislation that the protesters were
demonstrating against was "not our Bill, but we are
supporting it", Mr Key said.
OUSA has been at the forefront of a nationwide campaign
against the move to voluntary student membership, because it
says it will undermine and cut existing student support
services.
Mr Key said the Government would implement a levy, which
universities could then use to secure fees from students to
continue to fund existing association facilities and campus
services.
He likened student associations to unions.
"From a tertiary perspective, this is the only sector in New
Zealand's economy, at the moment, where unionism, for the
most part, is compulsory. We want to put the education sector
on the same footing as the rest of the country," he said.
OUSA president Logan Edgar said student associations were
different from unions.
Dunedin police said there was no issue with the behaviour of
the protesters, describing the action as an "orderly
demonstration".
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