The Constitutional Position

The Constitution of VUWSA makes it quite clear that it is the Executive which really runs the Association. Schedule No. 4 Paragraph 4(a) of the Constitution, which deals with the powers of SRC, shows just how weak that body really is; for "the Council shall have no power to commit the Association to financial expense or make direction on financial matters." How can SRC be the controlling body of the Association, as Simon Terry and others claim, when it has no control over the purse strings? It is of course the Executive that makes decisions on financial matters, and hence it is that body that really controls the Association.

Those who support SRC have also argued that reforms such as binding referenda 'would stifle debate' (PSA leaflet, SGM Reforms: The Facts). But this is not so, for informed and completely open debate is guaranteed in the Association not by the existence of SRC but by Schedule 5 which defines another body 'Forum', as "an institution of free spoken expression within the university."

SRC in fact does not allow for "the right to informed debate" because speaking rights and the content of speeches there can be, and often are, ruthlessly controlled by a variety of procedural motions. Such control over what can and cannot be said is not possible at 'Forum' because as Schedule 5. Paragraph 2(b) makes quite clear; "The content of any speech at any meeting of Forum shall not be restricted."