From Our Community

Hear from members of our community who have willingly come forward to share their thoughts on this issue.

Michael Berkman MP

Member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for the Electoral District of Maiwar

“The UQ Student Union Complex has a rich history as a site of political action and democratic engagement. Over the course of 50 years it has served as a hub for students to gather and express their views. Demolishing and redeveloping this site would mean the loss of an irreplaceable historical monument to resistance, solidarity and mutual support. We should always fight to protect these collective spaces that flourish between the cracks of officialdom, bureaucracy and commodification.

Students are some of the worst impacted by the cost of living crisis, especially while on placement or renting. While Governments refuse to limit rent increases, stop supermarket price-gouging or address placement poverty, the union complex is increasingly a place of respite for those most in need.

Anne Warner

Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Kurilpa (1983-1986) and South Brisbane (1986-1995)
Minister for Family Services and Minister for Aboriginal and Islander Affairs, 1989-1995
UQ Union Secretary 1980
Former student activist

The student union became a Haven for all those people who had reasons to feel frightened and afraid of the policies of the state government, which were very hostile to minority groups, same-sex unions of any sort, of Women's Rights in general, or any alternative views and wanted to be able to stop them. And, of course, Bjelke-Peterson was contemptuous and abusive of Aboriginal people and their rights. So there was a great reason for a number of people, particularly students (some of them fitted.

The categories I just mentioned, but not all. ), but there was sympathy. There was an understanding that we needed to live in a free and open society where there could be an exchange of ideas for the betterment of society. The student union provided that opportunity, although it was not without contest. Some students thought that the Student Union should stick to only matters pertaining to the university rather than general matters, but they didn't succeed.

There is not always harmony between the university leaders and the student union. The union knows students' interests, and it is essential that students have the capacity to organise their rights with their own resources to achieve outcomes for the student body that would otherwise be ignored or rejected by the Whims of the university administration. This has happened on numerous occasions. Normally, they're pretty reasonable, but students' issues and rights occasionally get overlooked. Students are emerging adults who have an interest in creating a society in which they will feel comfortable.

Mark Bailey MP

Member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for the Electorial District of Miller
UQ Alumni

“The independence of the UQ Union as the representative body for all UQ students is an important principle to be respected and continued at the University of Queensland. There is no doubt that the UQ student Union has played a valuable role in campus life for over half a century and should be supported to continue for another fifty years.

Proposals to demolish the magnificent Schonell Theatre are short sighted, disrespect its role in campus life and should be abandoned. The on-campus presence of a cinema and theatre should continue as part of a major university campus of international stature.

Likewise, any proposals to redevelop the UQ Union Complex need to genuinely collaborate with the UQ Union to ensure their continued permanent on-site presence as the independent representatives of students.”

Mark Bailey MP

Member for Miller

Sen. Penny Allman-Payne

Senate for Queensland, Parliament of Australia

I was an undergraduate student at UQ and a member of the UQU from 1988 to 1992 and then again as a post-graduate student from 2004 to 2012.

During that time, I personally benefited from the services and advocacy provided by the UQU. I am one of thousands of students that have participated in UQU student societies and clubs, hung out in the UQ Union complex, and participated in UQU campaigns and actions (including the campaign against the original introduction of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme).

I am therefore incredibly disappointed to read about the University’s plans to demolish the UQ Union complex – which has served as a place for students to gather and express their views, as well as receive essential supports – without an adequate transparent and collaborative consultation process with the UQU, its members and the wider student body.

As the federal Greens spokesperson for Social Services, I know just how much students are struggling in the current cost of living crisis, making the practical supports and advocacy that the UQU provides even more important.

I’d like to express my solidarity with the UQ Student Union, its members, and the campaign to save the UQ Union complex. I’ve signed on for updates using the QR code provided and have attached a photo of me holding my copy of Semper Floreat to demonstrate my support.

Dr. Lee Duffield

Member of the University of Queensland Senate, elected by graduates of the university.
Retired journalist for the ABC
Chairman and media editor on the online publication Independent Australia

Speaking only on behalf of myself:

Here the past feeds into the future. The original intention expressed at the opening of the complex circa 1960 by the VC and State Governor, holds, that it would provide a full university experience, educative in an informal way, conferring freedoms and autonomy.

It worked that way during the 1960s-90s era when State Governments were acting against dissent, for the Vietnam anti-war movement, Springboks-anti-apartheid, civil liberties, experimental cultural activity including 4ZZZ, feminist, gay and indigenous movements getting started.

The rest of the campus was not a sanctuary in that way. Activism was possible there, e.g. lecturers agreeing to host short talks on issues, but also hampered, e.g. security, called “grey men” took down posters and demanded the names of people posting or leafletting. The university was recurrently under pressure from the State government to sack dissidents and invite police on campus to suppress protests. The same concerns apply; wise to keep this zone; crisis can come our way and resources always needed.

Students polled during the 2019 campaign for the Union precinct saw the then-plan as an anti-educational desert, typical quote: “We do not need just another shopping mall”.

The SSAF (Amenities fee) enters here. UQU needs guaranteed autonomy, hence to negotiate an ongoing funding arrangement. (Limited chances of getting SSAF itself changed politically; Labor introduced it, Opposition when in government killed the then funding model for student unions).

In 2024, I am informed a three-year transition plan is under discussion, to do with temporary relocation or exit of the UQU (to other premises on campus) and of small businesses; also to do with UQU funding.

Since 2019 I have maintained that redevelopment and management of the Union precinct is a major undertaking with strong educational and cultural aspects, requiring openness.