HEADLINES OF THE WEEK

Written By Emily Guy

Placement poverty report

Placement poverty involves the compulsory unpaid work imposed on  thousands of university students in order for them to complete their degree. These placements leave many students unable to support themselves, and thus prevent many students from being able to complete their studies (Thorn, Youngand Duffy, 2024). As outlined on the Students Against Placement Poverty platform, “social work, occupational therapy and podiatry students are all currently required to complete 1000 hours of unpaid placement. Nursing students are required to do 880 hours. Teaching students have to do over 500 and physiotherapy students have to do 700”. These are the hours prescribed by the profession accreditation bodies of each discipline. 

While placements are a hugely important learning opportunity for students, and are well documented as an integral experience for well trained professionals, they force many students to sacrifice their paid work for up to a year. This system thus disproportionately disadvantages students from lower-middle income backgrounds who are compelled to  either defer their studies and save, or juggle full-time unpaid work with night time jobs to make ends meet.

The recent Universities Accord recognised the burden of ‘placement poverty’ imposed on students. The report went on to introduce government financial support for students undertaking placements in the areas of nursing, teaching and care. However, the rate of pay remains undetermined and many other fields underfunded (On The Record, 2024). 

Monash Party scandal

Monash University drew criticism  last week after hosting a $127,000 farewell party. The party honoured  Prof. Margaret Gardner, the former Monash President and Vice Chancellor of nine years, and present Governor of Victoria. Gardner is credited to have elevated the university's international reputation as well as its community engagement. However, the party has been poorly received, especially whilst the University  grapples with a multi-million dollar wage theft claim in Federal Court. 

In a Guardian article Ben Eltham (2024), Branch President of National Tertiary Education Union’s Monash Branch, made the claim that the party was ‘out of touch’. He said that “this year we’ve got students sitting on the floor in lecture theatres, we’ve got overcrowded classrooms and we’ve got staff facing allegations of financial misconduct for minor infringements”. The statement points out that this money is better spent on staff wages and improving learning conditions, rather than on lavish parties. He clarified that a farewell celebration was not inherently a bad thing, but the proportion of it “highlights the inequality” within the University. 

Trump wins primary

Last Tuesday marked  Super Tuesday in the US. Super Tuesday is when more than a third of the states hold their primary election on the same day, the primary election being where voters choose who from their party will advance to the election in November. While Joe Biden has had little competition for the position in the Democratic party, Donald Trump has been rivalled by Nikki Haley, former South Carolina Governor and UN ambassador, within the Republican Party. 

Nikki Haley’s presidential prospects seemed promising when the Colorado Government initially declared that Trump was ineligible to appear on the ballot. This motion was followed by a small group of other States. He was initially removed from the ballots because of his involvement in the January 6th insurrection. However the Supreme Court overturned this ruling, claiming that Congress, rather than States, had the power to determine who could and could not run for President (daily Aus).

Despite his mounting legal battles, Trump's campaign remains strong, so much so that Nikki Haley was forced to retire from her campaign on Super Tuesday. This means that America is headed for a 2020 rematch (Quinn and Yilek, 2024). Trump has since made a statement basking in his victory, and while Biden has not made a public statement he said that Trump is “determined to destroy [their] democracy”. 

Sam Kerr

Last week Matildas player Sam Kerr was charged with a racially aggravated offence against  a British Police officer, to which she pleaded not guilty. The news was making headlines in most papers, sparking outrage that an Aussie Icon would act so poorly. However, it was revealed in the days that followed that the slur used was “stupid white bastard’ (Guardian Reporters, 2024). 

Since the comment has been released debate has been sparked regarding whether the statement was actually racist, or if the allegation was merely a money grab. It is widely held that the Statement is not inherently racist, for there is no negative connotation attached to calling someone white. This camp of supporters would say that the media have exaggerated the story. The more conservative camp are claiming that it is ‘reverse racism’, which is being staunchly disputed. 

References:

Emily Guy
Previous

A Day on the Green
Next

Birth of Bollywood and Beyond