A week out from the closing date of nominations for the VUWSA general elections, rumours are abuzz around the Student Union Building over the possible nominees.
Current Campaigns Officer Sonny Thomas is thus far the only known nominee for the Association’s presidency. A Facebook group, ‘Sonny Thomas for Victoria University Students’ Association President’ was established several weeks previously, and at the time of writing, boasts over 150 members.
Concerns have been raised about Thomas’ intended agenda as President, with allegations that the Change Proposal, under which three full-time members are set to lose their jobs, was largely spearheaded by the Young Labourite. One anonymous source observed that Thomas appeared to be using the VUWSA presidency as a stepping stone to Parliament.
As part of his campaign, Thomas pledges to “change the way VUWSA is structured and put a greater focus on education issues.”
He also expresses a desire to increase the diversity of student activities, “consolidate and streamline” club grants funding and “increase funding for representative groups.”
While Thomas faces no official competition, DebSoc member Ihaia Tichborne has announced plans to run once his ‘Tichborne for President’ Facebook group reaches 300 members. At present, membership is at 171 – the majority of which, according to comments on the Salient website, are not Victoria University students and thus ineligible to vote in the elections.
Tichborne reveals little of his specific policies on his page, which has been created by an individual named Ben Moore, a member of the self-proclaimed Committee to Elect Tichborne. However, it reads: “You should be able to trust an elected official, not just to follow through on policies, but to make right, responsible decisions when faced with them. We believe that VUWSA will be best served with Ihaia making these decisions.”
A third and less prominent potential candidate for the presidency is Bernard Stewart, a “professional amateur comedian” who bears a convincing resemblance to incumbent Joel Cosgrove. Little is known about Stewart beyond his apparent fondness for alcohol (and Led Zep), but Salient is aware that he is a close acquaintance of Education Vice-President Paul Brown.
Among the candidates for the other positions, a somewhat disconcerting Young Labour bloc has emerged, with current Education Officer B Seamus Brady running for the role of Welfare Vice-President, as well as current Publications Committee member Jordan King for University Council Representative and Salient political writer Conrad Reyners – all Young Labourites – in addition to Thomas.
This bloc bears a striking similarity to last year’s controversial A-Team, who were accused of a right-wing conspiracy.
It remains to be seen whether the Young Labourites will be the recipients of an overwhelming defeat like that dealt to the ATeam.