Whether students should be made to join a students' association will be aired in Dunedin next week when the parliamentary education and science select committee hears oral submissions on the Education (Freedom of Association ) Amendment Bill.
The private member's Bill, sponsored by Act New Zealand MP Sir Roger Douglas, aims to uphold students' right to freedom of association by "ensuring that no student is compelled to join a students' association", according to the Bill's accompanying explanatory note.
Otago University Students Association president Harriet Geoghegan said she would be speaking to her earlier written submissions, during the Dunedin hearing on June 9.
If the proposed Bill became law, it would have a "big impact" on the association's operations and reduce the services it could provide for students, she said.
More than 3000 Otago students signed a petition opposing the Bill, she said.
The Bill will be reported back to the House by September 30.
