Wollongong University making polotical donations - what the!

Picture courtesy of ABC

Wollongong University Please explain political donations. 

Greens Candidate for South Coast and Shoalhaven Councillor Amanda Findley is calling on the University of Wollongong (UOW) to please explain to students why it is preferentially donating to the Liberal Party.

 “As an Alumni and recent student of UOW , I was absolutely appalled to hear the University is donating to political parties” said Mrs Findley. 

“The University receives public funding and it is far better for them to remain on neutral ground. As a student and a member of a political party it was made clear to me that the University would not tolerate favouritism to one political party or the other, but it has clearly breached its own position with these donations”.

“ These donations taint the University’s reputation. Meanwhile the University cuts its services at Shoalhaven Campus. Will the University come clean and declare if they have made any donations for the current State election Campaign or will we have to once again wait months for that information buried deep in the data sheets of the Electoral Funding Authority”.

“ I understand that the Council guides ‘University Business ‘ but I simply cannot fathom how the University could arrive at a point that thought political donations are a good thing. Meanwhile students have been pepper sprayed and arrested while protesting threats to fees and university cuts across the country, this situation is a disgrace and we need answers”.

Mrs Findley was particularly concerned that donations to the Liberal Party were given during a period when Member for Kiama Gareth Ward was on the University's Council.

" Mr Ward was never quiet about his ambitions and had a great desire to be on the University Council, I see that the young Liberals must have a succession plan as Paul Ell a close associate of Mr Wards has replaced him."

 

(Submitted to South Coast Register and Milton Ulladulla Times Feb 2015)