Left Action- Free Palestine, a Socialist Alternative (SAlt) aligned ticket has launched its intention to run for ANUSA elections.  

In a press release, the ticket states, “We’re living in the context of an impending climate catastrophe, the rise of the far-right internationally, a cost-of-living crisis and a genocide in Palestine. Left Action is the only ticket that seriously acknowledges any of this.” 

“But we don’t just want to acknowledge these crises, we want to fight them.” 

The ticket is a part of a broader movement of SAlt aligned tickets at the University of Melbourne and Curtin University.  

The candidates include, 

Nick Reich for ANUSA President 

Yerin Park for Education Officer 

Carter Chryse for Welfare Officer 

Chris Morris for Environment Officer 

The ticket states, “The ANU has been at the forefront of disciplining pro-Palestine activists, shutting down student protests, and defending their many research ties with weapons companies responsible for killing Palestinians in Gaza.” 

“ANUSA’s track record in supporting these campaigns so far has been dismal. The student union, including members of both other major tickets, did not fully support the Gaza Solidarity Encampment in the face of right-wing attacks, opposed calling a mass student meeting to vote for divestment, and is now pushing through a “governance review” that marginalises Palestine activists within the union.” 

The Governance Review, released earlier this year makes 31 recommendations to improve the governance of the association. The major recommendations include making the ANUSA executive the “primary governing body of ANUSA”, abolishing ANUSA autonomous department constitutions and removing the Environment Collective. 

The Department, currently led by Environment Officer Wren Somerville, was questioned by the SRC back in March as to their use of their budget which is funded from ANUSA’s SSAF allocation. In their 2024 budget, the department earmarked about $7,500, or about 75 percent of their budget, for “conference and travel grants” and only about 10% (or $1,000) of their budget for “campaign expenses”.

SAlt members have also declined to participate in the Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) policy feedback and town hall meeting. Following the SRI feedback, which was supported by the ANU Gaza Solidarity Encampment, the ANU announced it would be divesting from controversial weapons.  

However, candidates in the ticket have run the Students for Palestine group, which was one of the first organisations on campus to advocate for Palestine. 

The ticket boasts a number of experienced activists. Presidential candidate and current ANUSA General Representative, Nick Reich, “has been the leading member of the Palestine Action Group Canberra for years”, with experience in “leading campaigns that fight for the oppressed against the rich and powerful.” Education officer candidate and Welfare officer candidate, Yerin Park and Carter Chryse have also been involved in “anto-course cuts” campaigns, “climate movements” and other social causes such as participating in the Posie Parker protests, and protesting against Penny Wong twice this year. 

In the press release, Environment Officer candidate Chris Morris said, “Universities are profiting from increasing education costs while at the same time cutting courses and sacking staff. Students should have access to free education, adequate welfare and affordable housing and Left Action wants to kick up a fuss about it.” 

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