Mathew Chuk
Encyclopedia
Mathew Chuk is an Australia
n former student politician. He was the General Secretary of the National Union of Students
for the 2007 academic year and is only the second independent to occupy the position in the organisation's history. His election to the position, backed by a coalition of left-wing factions and Liberal supporters, brought to an end a seventeen-year long period of control of the key position Labor
affiliated students. Chuk previously served as the 93rd president of the University of Western Australia Student Guild
.
. Mathew Chuk's election heralded the first time in sixteen years a non-Labor affiliated candidate was elected to this position. His achievement is all the more remarkable considering he was an independent, and as such not aligned with any political party, relying on the votes of the Australian Liberal Students' Federation
to win election.
This result came about due to several unique circumstances apparent during the 2006 NUS conference. In previous years, a deal between the two Labor-aligned factions (Labor Left and Right) saw them share President and National General Secretary. However, at the 2006 conference, the two Labor factions no longer controlled the majority of the votes.
Independents and all other Left factions pledged their votes to Chuk, with the two Labor factions supporting the Labor candidate, leaving the ALSF
with the casting votes. The ALSF
elected Chuk. Despite Liberals being responsible for his election, Chuk named the defeat of the Howard Government as one of his major goals as General Secretary.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n former student politician. He was the General Secretary of the National Union of Students
National Union of Students of Australia
The National Union of Students is the peak representative body for Australian university students. Most student unions in Australian campuses are affiliated to NUS...
for the 2007 academic year and is only the second independent to occupy the position in the organisation's history. His election to the position, backed by a coalition of left-wing factions and Liberal supporters, brought to an end a seventeen-year long period of control of the key position Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
affiliated students. Chuk previously served as the 93rd president of the University of Western Australia Student Guild
University of Western Australia Student Guild
The UWA Student Guild is the official student representative body at the University of Western Australia, representing the interests of students to the University, government and the wider community, as well as providing services to students...
.
NUS General Secretary
In late 2006, Chuk was elected to the position of General Secretary of the National Union of StudentsNational Union of Students of Australia
The National Union of Students is the peak representative body for Australian university students. Most student unions in Australian campuses are affiliated to NUS...
. Mathew Chuk's election heralded the first time in sixteen years a non-Labor affiliated candidate was elected to this position. His achievement is all the more remarkable considering he was an independent, and as such not aligned with any political party, relying on the votes of the Australian Liberal Students' Federation
Australian Liberal Students' Federation
The Australian Liberal Stduents' Federation or ALSF is an Australian students political group. The ALSF is the peak national body for over thirty campus Liberal Clubs. While the ALSF carries similar ideology to the Liberal Party of Australia and works closely with the party it is an Independent...
to win election.
This result came about due to several unique circumstances apparent during the 2006 NUS conference. In previous years, a deal between the two Labor-aligned factions (Labor Left and Right) saw them share President and National General Secretary. However, at the 2006 conference, the two Labor factions no longer controlled the majority of the votes.
Independents and all other Left factions pledged their votes to Chuk, with the two Labor factions supporting the Labor candidate, leaving the ALSF
Australian Liberal Students' Federation
The Australian Liberal Stduents' Federation or ALSF is an Australian students political group. The ALSF is the peak national body for over thirty campus Liberal Clubs. While the ALSF carries similar ideology to the Liberal Party of Australia and works closely with the party it is an Independent...
with the casting votes. The ALSF
Australian Liberal Students' Federation
The Australian Liberal Stduents' Federation or ALSF is an Australian students political group. The ALSF is the peak national body for over thirty campus Liberal Clubs. While the ALSF carries similar ideology to the Liberal Party of Australia and works closely with the party it is an Independent...
elected Chuk. Despite Liberals being responsible for his election, Chuk named the defeat of the Howard Government as one of his major goals as General Secretary.
See also
- University of Western Australia Student GuildUniversity of Western Australia Student GuildThe UWA Student Guild is the official student representative body at the University of Western Australia, representing the interests of students to the University, government and the wider community, as well as providing services to students...
- National Union of Students of AustraliaNational Union of Students of AustraliaThe National Union of Students is the peak representative body for Australian university students. Most student unions in Australian campuses are affiliated to NUS...