A Carnival of Contradictions
The third day of #nusnatcon24 unfolded like a Shakespearean comedy, albeit with less romance and more procedural motions. Delegates oscillated between impassioned debate and heckling with the precision of a seasoned theatre troupe, leaving onlookers questioning whether they were witnessing a political conference or a particularly chaotic improv show.
Collegiate Carnage
The morning began with Unity valiantly defending the existence of USyd’s private colleges. Unity earnestly argued for internal reform, insisting that abolishing these bastions of elitism, misogyny, and racism would, in fact, make the problem worse.
The call for reform was met with incredulity and jeers from SAlt, whose members heckled with such ferocity they may well have earned honorary degrees in disruption. Meanwhile, NLS reminded everyone that private colleges were functioning exactly as intended, which is perhaps the most damning compliment they’ve ever received.
Unity’s alleged destruction of a cross-factional amendment to abolish colleges added fuel to the fire, with whispers of betrayal crackling through the conference like popcorn on a stovetop. An anonymous delegate labelled SAlt as “the loony left,” a description they likely wear as a badge of honour.
Solidarity and Global Struggles
The ethnocultural chapter, saw a wide range of motions raised, centering around global social justice issues, student activism, and the role of NUS in supporting marginalised communities. Key motions included calls for a boycott of Israeli institutions in solidarity with Palestine, the defence of Lebanese sovereignty, and the condemnation of anti-Palestinian racism. Speakers from different blocs emphasised the need for sanctions against Israel, free speech protections on campuses, and stronger efforts to combat systemic racism. A particularly charged conversation emerged over the ethical dimensions of supporting Palestinian rights while rejecting antisemitism, with many speakers stressing the importance of distinguishing between condemning state policies and attacking ethnic identities. The conference also saw calls for action on global issues such as the conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the rise of the far-right. The floor was united in its support for international human rights, with strong messages of solidarity across movements, as delegates recognised the NUS’s critical role in championing global justice and fostering solidarity among students on pressing global issues.
Women’s Health and Rights: A Push for Change
The floor during the section on women was filled with calls for transformative change, particularly in addressing the inequities faced by women in healthcare, education, and the workforce. A major motion focused on the need for free menstrual products at NUS, with speakers emphasising the importance of accessible health resources for women and menstruators. Advocates from various factions highlighted broader health disparities, including the high cost of healthcare and the systemic underfunding of vital services. SAlt highlighted the disproportionate impact of the cost of living and wage gaps on women, while Unity pushed for broader access to services for international students. A passionate debate unfolded on abortion rights, with fierce opposition to far-right attempts to restrict reproductive freedoms. Calls for universal reproductive leave, improved healthcare access, and stronger protections against gender-based violence resonated with delegates. Neeve (Unity, UTSSA Welfare Officer) spoke as a woman from a rural area, “it is necessary that all hospitals offer access to essential healthcare including abortion.” A strong consensus emerged: the fight for gender equity, reproductive rights, and equal opportunities for women in all sectors remains a central focus for political activism.
In true NatCon fashion, the passionate debates were occasionally interrupted by procedural confusion, heckling, and at least one delegate struggling to figure out the difference between a point of order and a point of personal privilege.
No one came to sit on the sidelines, and the occasional drama ensured there was no chance to. The clashes over global politics and free speech ethics were as entertaining as they were inevitable, but at least they served as a reminder that student activism, chaotic as it may be, still plays a role in shaping conversations on social justice and human rights.
Ombudsman Oddities and Cost-of-Living Chaos
As the evening wore on (and on, and on), the conference debated the establishment of a National Student Ombudsman, that would decide whether actions taken by higher education are decidedly wrong. Unity extolled its virtues as a safe haven for students, while SAlt dismissed it as a glorified surveillance mechanism designed to crush dissent. Unity’s chants of “Student Unity forever” to the tune of Solidarity Forever provided an ironic soundtrack to the proceedings.
The final act featured a cost-of-living motion that dissolved into heckling over whether ‘militancy in response’ was an appropriate phrase. Calls of ‘anti-union’ ricocheted through the room, punctuating what was perhaps the day’s most unified moment: shared exasperation.
As the clock ticked toward 11 p.m, weary delegates trudged forward, armed with caffeine, conviction, and a flair for theatrics. Day 3 may not have solved the world’s problems, but it certainly reinforced one truth: student politics is nothing, if not entertaining.
Day 4 of #nusnatcon24 began later in the day, and thank god for that.
The Climate Chapter: Nukes and Heckles
As discussions turned to climate policy, Unity members made waves by calling for nuclear energy as a bridge to renewable futures, much to the audible dismay of both SAlt and NLS. "Blame Albo!" became the rallying cry from NLS in response to accusations of Labor's inaction on climate issues. Meanwhile, SAlt condemned everyone and everything for failing to deliver on environmental justice. Unity retaliated by accusing their opponents of shouting slogans while rejecting ‘realistic’ solutions like HECS and nuclear energy.
Amid this, an attendee made me laugh by deciding to use the lull during a procedural debate to catch up on Duolingo, undoubtedly inspired by the multilingual chaos of factional discourse. Perhaps they were brushing up on French, hoping to channel their inner revolutionary spirit?
International Students: Cash Cows or Taxed Riches?
The debate then shifted to international student policy. Unity accused SAlt of living off their parents' money while ignoring practical solutions for international students. In response, SAlt proposed taxing the rich as the obvious fix and argued for free education, calling it a basic human right and branding Unity's stance as "economic cruelty” and condemned Labor for treating international students as "cash cows."
Unity countered with claims that international students need fewer restrictions, not free degrees, prompting chants of "HECS is best!" from Unity supporters. SAlt promptly drowned them out with "Pay for health and education, not for war and devastation,” the noise level rising faster than a procedural vote to extend speaking times.
The end of quorum (pulled by SAlt walking out a second time) was met with cheers as the chair declared the conference over. For those still standing (barely), it was a triumphant conclusion to four days of procedural chaos, ideological stand-offs, and enough heckling to last a lifetime—or at least until next year.
Key Takeaway
NatCon 2024: where democracy staggers forward through a battlefield of raised hands, procedural brawls, and enough factional drama to make reality TV seem tame. It’s part debate club, part endurance sport, with a hint of absurdist theatre for good measure. Whether it’s meaningful progress or just a very loud group project is anyone’s guess—but at least it’s never boring.