Student union membership drops dramatically

Student union membership at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) has dwindled from 30,000 in 2006 to 500 last year when the former Howard government made it voluntary thus reducing income to student bodies. Funding for clubs and societies at UWS had been reduced by at least 50 per cent, shuttle bus had been closed and most staff positions were gone, according to Angus McFarland, president, of the National Union of Students.