By Corinne Glenn
PERTH— One of the most political and hotly contested elections in years was held on Curtin University from September 10-12. The Higher Education Action Team (HEAT), initiated by Resistance and involving students from the education campaign, received more votes than any one of the other six tickets. However, all major SRC positions were won by the incumbent ticket organised by the Labor right.
Arun Pradhan, HEAT presidential candidate and Resistance member, explained the contradictory results to 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly. "Unfortunately many students did not realise that there was a spate of front tickets and preference deals which meant that a vote for any of the six tickets other than HEAT ultimately re-elected the same old Guild. A vote for the Labor left ticket, the International Student ticket or the 'beer' ticket meant that people's vote went to the Labor right presidential candidate!"
The Labor left ticket played a crucial role in supporting the incumbents, whose record included abolishing the Curtin Women's department and not supporting the August 7 national day of action against education funding cuts. "In its rhetoric, the Labor left raised similar issues to us. It received over 100 votes which could have swung the elections. Instead they have lost a lot of credibility at Curtin by ensuring that the Guild remained in the hands of the right", said Pradhan.
Pradhan said that HEAT members were pleased with their result. "We not only faced ridiculous election procedures but amazing lies and slander that included allegations that Resistance supports the Liberal Party, burnt down the French consulate last year, and intended to stop Guild discounts so we could fund the PLO! In this context the 500 or so votes we received were people who wanted a Guild committed to fighting the cuts, supporting women's rights and which would take a stand against homophobia and against racism.
"We politicised the campaign. The other tickets were forced to adopt many of our policies, so we raised the stakes and pledged to resign unless specific promises were achieved within two months of office. Not surprisingly, the other tickets made no such commitment."
HEAT ended up winning four Guild Council positions, with four going to the Labor right, three to the international students and one to the Labor left. HEAT also won two National Union of Students delegates with two going to the Labor right, one to the international students and one to the Labor left. The Labor right won all five executive positions.
"This was the biggest threat to the Labor right here in years and we are in the position to make this Guild's life hell if it does not follow through on its promise to support the education campaign. Now that the elections are over, I hope that students take the next step and get active in the education campaign, the Curtin women's collective or in Resistance", said Pradhan.