E R M A N ARTIFICIAL PLANTS G LESSONS IN & the THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE ‘FIXING B U D G E T ’
“It’s still a work in progress.”
WORONI
FEATURES
12-14
SCIENCE
18
16
ECONOMICS
Rear.
MORONI
ANU’S R A N K I N G S R E B O U N D 23 SEPTEMBER 2 0 1 4 - NO. 12, VOL 66 - WORONI.COM.AU - FACEBOOK & TWITTER
CAMPUS NEWS
On 16th September 2014 the QS Group published the 10th edition of their annual QS World University Rankings. The Australian National University was ranked 25th in the world, moving up two places from its 2013 ranking. The ANU retained its spot as 1st in the country, followed by The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, The University of place. Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Margaret Harding, announced this achievement through e-mail at 11am of the same day. She congratulates students and and goes on to say that “it is the our international reputation for She mentions that worldwide university rankings tend to be imperfect measures, but that in the very least they “tell The methodology used by QS Group in compiling their ranking is divided six fold in the following manner: The methodology used by the QS Group for compiling their ranking has six divisions, and these are: Academic Reputation
ALEX CATALAN-FLORES & JACOB INGRAM
(a reputational survey of almost 63,700 academics worldwide), Employer Reputation (another reputational survey of almost 28,800 respondents worldwide), Student-to-Faculty Ratio (number of employed academic
to be ranked within the top 50 of the Shanghai Ranking. At a national level, The University of Melbourne was ranked 1st in the country, followed by the ANU, the University of Queensland and The University of Western Australia.
enrolled), Citations Per Faculty (the number of papers being cited in other papers from other
The methodology used in compiling the Shanghai Ranking is divided as follows: The Shanghai Ranking also uses
years), International Faculty Ratio (proportion of international academics in relation to domestic academics) and International Student Ratio (proportion of international students in relations to domestic students). Academic Reputation consists of 40% of the rank, with Student-to Faculty Ratio and Citations Per Faculty consisting of 20% each, Employer Reputation at 10% and both international indicators consisting of 5% each.
methodology. These are: the alumni of an institution winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals; Nobel Prizes (except for the Literature and Peace categories) and Fields Medals; the number of Thomson Reuters ‘Highly Cited Researchers’ in 21 subject areas; the number of papers published in Nature and Science between 2009 and 2013; the total number of papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded and Social Science Citation Index in 2013; and Per Capita Performance (the weighted scores of the above
Yet the QS ranking was not the only ranking to be released recently, as on the 20th August the 2014 edition of the Academic Ranking of World Universities (colloquially known as the Shanghai Ranking) was released. The ANU was ranked 74th in the world, a drop of eight places from the previous year. The University of Melbourne climbed 10 places from 54th in 2013 to 44th in 2014, setting the record
number of full-time academic ANUSA President Cameron Wilson commented that he was glad to see the results, and noted
1
that has built up a good international
without handing down a debt Woroni published a piece on 24th July 2014 regarding the ANU’s drop in the ranking published by the Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR). According to an explanatory paper of the CWUR’s methodology, the subjectivity of student surveys is one of the main drawbacks of other university rankings such as QS and Times. The Shanghai Ranking is the only other major publication that does not use student surveys, but CWUR places excessive weight on research-based indicators without properly assessing the quality of education and training of students. The next major ranking this year will be the 2014 edition of the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education, set for publication on 2nd October 2014.
W
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
CONTENTS No.12 CAMPUS NEWS
WORLD/ AUSTRALIAN POLITICS
4. COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIAN POSTGRDUATE ASSOCIATIONS: ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING AT ANU By Kimberly Ashby-Mitchell
WORONI FEATURES
16. FOUR LESSONS FROM THE GERMAN BUDGET By Arthur Bi
4. NEW COURSES AT THE SCHOOL OF POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS By Abigail Widijanto
12. TRIPLE DISADVANTAGE By Susannah French
17. ASK NOT WHAT YOUR ALLIANCE CAN DO FOR YOU... By Tom Murphy
5. ANU UNION FILLS CASUAL VACANCY By Sophie Yates 5. THE POLITICAL AGENDA BEHIND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND LABOR LAW REFORMS By Abigail Widijanto
14. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: COMMONPLACE IN SPORT? By Joshua Chu-Tan
SCIENCE
18. ARTIFICIAL PLANTS AND THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE By Giordano Borzuola
COMMENT 7. HOW THE ANU STACKS UP By David Winter
LIFE & STYLE
22. FASHION: FAUX OR SIMPLY FUAX PAS? By Nikita Holcombe
18. CAMPUS INSIDER
8. THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ DEPARTMENT’S RIGHT OF RESPONSE
SPORT
9. AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ REACTION TO MUHAMMAD TAUFIQ BIN SURAIDI’S ARTICLE By Milena Selivanov
21. INTERHALL SPORT TERM 3 ROUND-UP By Rory O’Sullivan
HOROSCOPES 19. HOROSCOPES By The Retrograde Mystics
10. AN OPEN LETTER TO HALLS AND COLLEGES By Vincent Chiang
SATIRE BY SATYROS
22. A Dreadful Holiday By Rob Morris
CREATIVE WRITING
19. MONOTONE HAZARD CONDITION RATE By M
REVIEWS
23. GIG GUIDE
WORONINOMICS
6. SHAKESPEARE UNCUT: ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
24. MORONI
20. WELFARE REFORM: THE YOUNG & THE JOBLESS By Joseph Chumpeter
By Vincent Chiang 15. SUKEROKU
By Elise Horspool
A
K
N
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
O
W
L
E
D
G
EDITORIAL BOARD
Woroni is published on the land of the Ngunnawal people. We respect elders past and present and recognise that the sovereignty was never ceded.
Editor-in-Chief - Tara Shenoy Deputy Editor-in-Chief - Ross Caldwell Managing Editor - Alex Catalan-Flores Editor - Jacob Ingram Editor - Janis Lejins Editor - Polly Mitton Editor - Beatrice Smith Editor - Abigail Widijanto
Advertising inquiries and submissions can made at: advertising@woroni.com.au
S TA F F
Phone: (02) 6125 9574 Shop 15, Lena Karmel Building 26 Barry Drive, Acton 2601
Dallas Proctor - Bookkeeper Olivia Kelly - Administrative Assistant
M
E
N
T
S
SUB-EDITORIAL TEAM Lead News Correspondent - Nina Haysler Lead News Correspondent - Sophie Yates Features Sub-Editor - Alice Zhang Comments Sub-Editor - Ben Stilling Arts & Reviews Sub-Editor - Hugo Branley Arts & Reviews Sub-Editor - Anna Dai Science Sub-Editor - Grace Elkins Life & Style Sub-Editor - Christina Rae Sports Sub-Editor - Josh Chu-Tan Head of Photography - Em Roberts Head of Videography - Matt Solomko Radio Sub-Editor - Giordano Borzuoloa Radio Sub-Editor - Ellen Stokes Radio Music Coordinator - Isaac Dugdale Managing Assistant - Mitchell Scott Woroni is printed by Capital Fine Print.
2
W
Week 8, Semester 2, 2014.
IN BRIEF No.12
FUCK YOU NIKE.
Thank You
CHINA
FOR DECIDING YOU DON’T WANT OUR SHIT COAL THUS FORCING AUSTRALIA TO FIND CLEANER ALTERNATIVES*.
FOR SAYING ‘JUST DO IT’
(*Ironically this means you will probably buy the coal at Clive Palmer’s new, ‘cleaner’ , mine... - Despite Mr Palmer describing the Chinese as “mongrels” who “shoot their own people” and “haven’t got a justice system”. Alas don’t despair China, Woroni has no doubt that if you persevere and endure Mr Palmer’s ‘cleaner alternative’ coal through a metaphorical lens you will garner a great deal of insight into the relationship many Australians have to their major political parties..)
MONDAY 22
TUESDAY 23 13th annual ANU Archives lecture: The Real War? Battles on the Australian home front 1914-19 - 6-7pm @ Australian Centre on China in the World, Building 188.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY 25
26
27
The vexed link between Indigenous social capital and social mobility - 12:30
Amenesty International Stop Torture Forum - 5pm
International Students’ Ball, 6:00pm @ Boathouse by the Lake
AFL
- 2pm @ Hanna Neumann Building Room G058
Archaean asteroid impacts and planetary evolution - 1 - 2 pm @
RSES, J1 Seminar Room, Building 142
Art Forum: Rowan Conroy - 1:15 - 2pm @ SOA Lecture theater. Health care in danger: The way forward - 5:45
@ MCC T5 Kingswood @ ANU Bar
Art Forum: Robert Baines - 1:15 - 2pm @ SOA Lecture theater. Voice and agency: empowering women and girls for shared prosperity - 5:30 - 7pm @ Molonglo
Theatre, Level 2, Crawford Building
Australian Haydn Ensemble: Beethoven’s Piano Concerto - 7-9pm @ Drill Hall Gallery
Art Forum: Anthea Callen - 6-7pm @ SRW Lecture Theater.
Great Green Debate,
7:30pm @ Bruce Hall
1
2
Floriade Night Festival. $10.
Worlds beyond our Solar System - 6-7pm @ CHEM T1 ANU Prisoners’ Advocacy Society: Public Forum, 5:30pm @ China in the World
One Day (Horrorshow, Spit Syndicate, Jackie Onassis, Joyride) @ ANU Bar. Floriade Night Festival. $10.
SUNDAY 28
GRAND FINAL (GO SWANS)
Art School Ball 2014 Ball of Lucid Dreams - from 6pm @ ANU SCHOOL OF ART. South-East Asian Cultural Festival, 5-8pm @Kinloch Common Room Hands Like Houses @ ANUBar.
7:30pm @ Bruce Hall
Floriade Night Festival. $10.
Great Green Debate,
30
SATURDAY
24
- 7pm @ Finkel Theatre, John Curtin School
19
FRIDAY
Satyros Presents: The Hearse Whisperer, 8:00pm @ ANU Arts Centre
Floriade Night Festival. $10.
3
4
National Capital Model United Nations
National Capital Model United Nations
Satyros Presents: The Hearse Whisperer, 8:00pm @ ANU Arts Centre
Satyros Presents: The Hearse Whisperer, 8:00pm @ ANU Arts Centre Yes DivestFest 82, 3-7pm @ Union Court
3
5 National Capital Model United Nations
W
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
CAMPUS NEWS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIAN POSTGRADUATE ASSOCIATIONS: ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING AT THE ANU PARSA PRESS RELEASE
KIMBERLY ASHBY-MITCHELL, PARSA COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
The 2014 Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING being held at the ANU The Australian National University has been announced as the venue for this year’s Annual CAPA Council meeting which takes place on Tuesday November 25th from 12:00pm – 3:00pm. This decision was made after PARSA submitted its expression of interest to collaborate with CAPA in hosting their 35th Anniversary celebrations. The CAPA President Meghan B. Hopper met with PARSA PRC members earlier this
semester and a vote was taken to decide on whether or not PARSA should become involved in this venture. The end result is that PARSA in collaboration with CAPA will host CAPA’s Annual Council Meeting. In the words of the CAPA President, “We were very excited to receive four exceptional applications from postgraduate associations across Australia to host this special Annual Council Meeting and Executive certainly faced a tough decision. In the end we happily accepted the
Expression of Interest from the Postgraduate and Research Students’ Association (PARSA) at the Australian National University, acknowledging the special
Registration for the Annual Council Meeting will open on Monday, the 15th of Septebmer, via the CAPA website. Further details will be provided in due course.
our 35th Anniversary in the nation’s capital.’The event promises exciting guest speakers and the possibility of meeting with parliamentary representatives to discuss higher education since it falls at the same time as a Federal Parliamentary Sitting Week for both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
For additional details, please contact the PARSA President, Benjamin Niles, at parsa. president@anu.edu.au or the
NEW COURSES AT THE SCHOOL OF POLITICS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS CAMPUS NEWS The ANU’s School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR) has announced new politics courses under the POLSXXXX course code to begin in 2015. marked institutional shift away from Marxism and critical theory towards comparative politics and institutional and analysis. Head of School, Dr. Andrew of Politics and International Relations is undergoing major generational change and renewal at the moment, with nine new appointments securing our longterm future. I’m excited to be leading it into a new era.” The 50+ Courses listed in the new SPIR Handbook, released on the 18th of August, are part of the School’s Three Year Plan.
Kimberly Ashby-Mitchell, viaparsa.communication@anu. edu.au.
COURSES OUT: POLS 2102: The Political Philosophy of Deception
ABIGAIL WIDIJANTO
POLS 2081: Religion & Politics in Australia
degrees with far greater certainty than in the past.”
POL2083: Contemporary Australian Political Issues
[The School is also making changes to research and teaching arrangements to ensure greater predictability for students and
COURSES IN:
are shifting from a 1:1 (per year) teaching load to a 1:2 teaching load inclusive of Honours and HDR coursework. This is consistent to the teaching load at other Group of Eight universities; and means great certainty and choice for students.]
POLS 2102: The Political Philosophy of Deception COURSE CODE TBC: Judicial Politics COURSE CODE TBC: Comparative Parties and Party Systems
It should be noted that the School has reinstated “The Political Philosophy of Deception” (POLS2102). This course was one of the eleven courses set to be “disestablished” in an email from
COURSE CODE TBC: Multileval Governance and Comparative Federalism COURSE CODE TBC: Brazilian Politics
Woroni in February this year, to academics at the School.
arrive at the School.
enable to students to plan their
4
POLS2103: Australian Democracy: Comparative & Theoretical Approaches POLS2116: Class, Power & POLS2061: Classical Marxism POLS2076: Frankfurt School and Habermas POLS2092: Fascism and AntiFascism POLS2115: Revolution! POLS2097: Strategy 1 POLS2098: Strategy 2
ANU
CASUAL
W
UNION
Week 8, Semester 2, 2014.
FILLS
VACANCY
organization challenges...Jack believed the Union need[s] someone who is able to devote 100% to the organization”.
“best suited to take the Union forward next year and beyond”. accounting, as well as being more familiar than most with Union operations”
“Jack was unable to continue serving as a Director of the Board due to the commitments of work which meant that he was unable to devote as much time and attention to the Union as he would have liked”
“never eventuated”
“Considering we had six quality candidates, I feel the advertising was adequate”.
“went through the cracks”
THE POLITICAL AGENDA BEHIND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND LABOR LAW REFORMS
5
W
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
SHAKESPEARE UNCUT: ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA REVIEWS Last edition, I looked at The Merry Wives of Windsor, a Shakespearean play so mediocre that I likened it to The Phantom Menace. This week, I’d like to step into more positive territory by looking at the oft-maligned classic tragedy Antony and Cleopatra. Within the academy itself, Antony and Cleopatra is often considered one of the Bard’s most beautiful works, right up there with the greats (Hamlet, King Lear, Twelfth Night, etc.). At a more popular level, however, the play is fairly under-performed, and there is no maa lower pedestal than even Titus Andronicus and (somehow) Corialanus. As I’ll explain in a bit though, this actually isn’t that surprising. and Cleopatra is generally categorised as a tragedy, is a loose sequel to Julius Caesar, and is essentially the story of the downfall of legendary lovers Mark Antony and Cleopatra. In brief, the play chronicles the lovers waging war against Octavius Caesar, and in the end, losing. The lovers then commit suicide and – as is oft the case in Shakespearean tragedy – Octavius. Sounds standard enough – so why the lack of exposure? As usual, it could just be bad luck, or the fact that the play is often overshadowed by other tragedies. However, I do the play that make it just a bit too odd for popular appeal. To begin, the play is very messy structuralinstance, constantly switch settings back and forth between Egypt and Rome, as if
VINCENT CHIANG the Ancient World was having some kind of rave where instead of strobe lights they had nonsensical scene changes instead. This gets even more freaky come Act Four, where there perspective, that is twice as many scenes as in Hamlet’s Act Four, and almost three times as many as King Lear’s. Add on the fact that these scenes are still highly erratic in terms of what they depict – one moment Antony is giving a pre-battle speech, the next random soldiers are discussing completely unrelated things – and you have a highly confused audience. But also, Antony and Cleopatra features some seriously frustrating (or simply strange) sequences. There is, for instance, an entire subplot concerning Antony and Octavius mediating with some pirates, culminating in everyone getting smashed and not a whole lot else. Whilst there is a historical basis for this sequence of events, it is largely perfuncThen there is the more infamous scene in the play, where Enobarbus, Antony’s trusty sidekick/second-in-command/something-unof shame. Like, he literally feels bad about betraying Antony (it’s complicated), and then just dies. Harold Bloom once said that Shakebut Shakespeare sure as hell had no idea how the human body worked. You don’t just die from feeling embarrassed about something Shakespeare in really bad company). Man. So this all sounds somewhat scathing thus far – but bear with me. In spite of its eccentric-
importantly, it is a play that is rich for creating one of the most fascinating and complex female characters in theatre history, the eponymous Cleopatra herself. I could spend an entire article writing about what makes Cleopatra so fantastic, but in short, she is riddled with contradictions and she knows it. CritCleopatra’s constant inconstancies, her peculiar shifts in characterisation, her perpetual is a woman in a world where love, humanity and power are all performed, expressed theatrically through a mode of being much akin to acting itself. And she understands it and stages Antony and Octavius constantly and uses her unpredictability as a means of asserting her own will upon those surrounding her. Cleopatra is the alpha example of what female empowerment looks like – certainly not the last, and certainly not the most perfect. But she’s just freaking badass. There’s also some really moving poetry in the play, a really interesting exploration of human desire and rationality, and indeed, some rather profound explorations of what it means to be (to be Antony? To be a hero? To be somebody at all in this senseless, formless Merry Wives of Windsor, is not unknown because it is bad. No – it is a play that is quirky, but one that should also be celebrated. Because it is ultimately a play about love, sex play about the apotheosis of the human spirit, and that’s why you (yes you) should know more about it.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Australian National Internships Program Are you interested in developing your academic and career skills by undertaking a research project in a professional workplace? As part of this program you will be placed in a government, industry or community organisation and develop a research report that will receive academic credit.
Applications close Monday 13 October 1pm (semester 1 2015 start)
If you’re considering a career in policy, government, politics or a wide variety of other fields, this is the perfect opportunity to begin networking and learn valuable skills.
6
You could be placed with: > > > > > > >
Australian Federal Parliament Australian Public Service ACT Legislative Assembly ACT Public Service Lobby groups Non-Governmental Organisations Industry and community organisations > Embassies and High Commissions > National cultural and heritage institutions
Get in touch with us today to discuss your options W anip.anu.edu.au E internships@anu.edu.au T 02 6125 8540
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
W
Week 8, Semester 2, 2014.
HOW THE ANU STACK S UP COMPARED TO THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS COMMENT/HIGHER EDUCATION ANU Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce student David Winter compares his experiences at LSE to ANU.
Reputation precedes ANU and the LSE.
makes for interesting comparisons. The spread out nature of ANU makes any
no London, and Australia is no United Kingdom.
the two. One possesses awe-inspiring architecture, multiculturalism and vision.
as opposed to one large one at LSE, also makes a community feel hard to
in Australia’s capital surely these
Recently I International
frequent.
completed the LSE Summer School, the
with over 5,000 students from around attempting to follow in the footsteps of LSE alumni come world leaders like JFK, Penny Wong, Lee Kwan Yew, and The Summer School is continuing to help turn the grand 100-year-old LSE
“Reputation precedes ANU and the LSE. International rankings
between the two.”
2008, the Queen opened the stunning
ANU are pleasant compared with the loan park at LSE.
and walls, glass lifts, and a stunning multistory void up to a glass ceiling.
In terms of course content, although ANU contains many more departments than LSE, it does not teach media or journalism. This was the reason I chose an International Journalism course to complete at the Summer School.
The six-story spiral staircase in the LSE in Europe, is just as stunning. Not to mention the new award-winning Saw Swee Hock Student Centre. ANU does have some architecture of School’s mix of cottages and modern glass are well mixed into its lakeside surroundings. Some would argue marvelous.
in the same format, in the same colours.
My tutorial had Italian, Turkish, American, Canadian, Ukrainian, Australian, Spanish, Singaporean, and many other nationalities, sat around the
journalist, convened the course and Everyday a guest speaker came in to talk to us. The list was impressive: Sarah Marshall from the Wall Street Journal, Matthew Eltringham and Cordelia
to name a select few. leading academics throughout the course. Again the Crawford School 7
Unfortunately, again, ANU does not compare. Only a few of my commerce classes have foreign students in them,
of the fact that the reputation of ANU only travels so far. The amount of things to do in London feels never ending. During my time at LSE, though, this was partly due to the LSE Student Union’s involvement in innumerous events, including: tours to
crawls. I have not even heard of ANU trips to parliament house, which as a political science major is mildly concerning. ANU needs money spinners like the various summer schools LSE has. To create these successfully it needs vision.
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
W
THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT’S DEPARTMENT RIGHT OF RESPONSE COMMENT
With reference to the article published in Woroni titled “Students Left in the Dark By Their Very Own International Students’ Department”, the international students’ department would like to clarify the factual errors in the article. The article mentioned that “the ANU sent an email to all international students informing them that they would cease the application of the existing 5% cap on tuition fees for international students, from 2015 onwards… The news was a shock to the international student community who had not been consulted on the changes… It is unknown, what role the ISD played in consulting with and advocating for international students in this process.” The ISD acknowledges that the ANU sent out an email to all international students regarding the cease in application of the existing 5% cap on tuition fees for international students. However, the email was a reminder to students regarding the policy change which happened in 2012. The email states “I am writing to remind you that in 2012, the University made a change to the way it set tuition fees each year for all international students… the University decided to cease implementing the 5% cap on tuition fees for students who commenced in 2013 and thereafter. To assist those students who started in 2012 or prior the University committed to maintain the 5% cap until 31 December 2014.” The ISD would have taken a proactive role in consulting and advocating for international students if this was a recent issue. However, the ISD does not have a mandate or ability to reverse a decision made in 2012. The next part of the article stated that “Recently the university also announced upcoming changes to accommodation policies at the ANU… The current ISD a meeting organised between the Pro ViceChancellor Professor Richard Baker, the ISD Presidential Candidates for 2015 and the former ISD President to discuss this issue.”
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ DEPARTMENT
The ISD would like to mention that the meeting was organised by an external individual without our prior knowledge. Moreover, it was scheduled to take place 30 minutes before the ISD presidential debate, which is not would have been willing to facilitate the discussions if the external individual us before organising the meeting. students which includes both domestic and international students, and to combat such policies ANU Interhall Council is in place. The ANU Interhall
The ISD started the year focusing on outreach to ensure that international students knew of our purpose, visions and exactly how the ISD could improve their ANU experience. In doing this, the ISD brought you events such as the Lunar New Year Festival with UniLodge, and the International Students’ Welcome Evening. These events aimed to celebrate and showcase the multicultural community at the ANU, to improve inter-cultural relations and emphasise the importance of international students. Not only that, we have organised orientation sessions students for them to transit into life at the University. Following the success of their initial outreach initiative, the ISD then pushed for better international student representation by implementing the Interhall International Representatives Committee, consisting of each Residential Hall’s International Representative, to tackle on-campus international student issues. They felt that having such a committee, with representatives from each Hall and
Council consists of presidents of residential committees of halls and colleges. On top of that, the ISD have already addressed such concerns to the Chancellery through various meetings and have discussed the issue at length. The Chancellery has admitted that students should have been consulted, and has promised that further changes will be made with student consultation. The ISD’s advocacy department will continue to seek out changes that
international students solely, the ISD will take an appropriate action against it. The article published in Woroni is particularly misleading and untrue. It has painted the ISD as a department looking after the welfare of international students. However, this is far from the truth. 8
international student life there, would representation. With the support of ANUSA, PARSA and the national clubs and societies the ISD have been able to proudly support international students in more ways than can be mentioned, such as the recent Racial Diversity Campaign. Moreover, the ISD is still sitting on the same committee at the university, advising and advocating on behalf of international students. It is disappointing that no fact checking was done before the article was published. The ISD has been proactively looking after the welfare of international students through our activities as well as our advocacy work. We will continue to serve our constituents to the best of our abilities and will ensure that the next ISD team will carry on the arduous task of representing international students at the ANU.
W
Week 8, Semester 2, 2014.
AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT’S REACTION TO MUHAMMED TAUFIQ BIN SAURADI’S ARTICLE “STUDENTS KEPT IN THE DARK BY THEIR VERY OWN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ DEPARTMENT” COMMENT
MILENA SELIVANOV
“International students are the cash cows of the university. We already pay full up-front fees... what worried me about the fee deregulation was the fact that there was no mention in changing international fees.”
9
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
W
AN OPEN LETTER TO
HALLS & COLLEGES
aware there are major issues with this
I think it is very reasonable to suggest that later year students are much more capable comfortable sharehouse years are. Why shouldn’t them instead?
to suggest that later year students are
If you’d like to submit a published response to any content in Woroni get in touch via: contact@woroni.com.au 10
W INCREASES IN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FEES CAMPUS NEWS
The ANU administration has announced the removal of the fee increase cap for all international students and domestic fee-paying students. In an email sent to all international and domestic fee-paying students, Registrar that the University will go through with the previously mentioned plans to remove the cap of 5% on fee increases for all students. In 2012, the University announced that it would remove the cap for all students starting from 2013 the cap in-place for existing students until the end of 2014. will now charge the same fee for a course to all International and domestic fee-paying students, previously the fee was dependent on the year of commencement, similar to the system followed for domestic Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) Students. In his email, the Registrar stated that, “The maintenance of an annual 5% cap on fees
KARAN DHAMIJA
in previous years generated difficulties…including determining what the actual cost of a course, or the number of courses, might be in a particular year.
arrangements as necessary.
consultation was done with the ISD in previous years when the decision was made. Nonetheless, Nopamornbodee mentioned that 2014 and “Students were also paying 2015 ISD representatives will courses,” he added.
students in the future are “aptly forewarned of any future fee increases”.
The confusion, inequity amongst students and “All things constant, this change might…drive was a central theme to the prospective students arguments presented by the from ANU” She added. Nopamornbodee hoped, University claims that due however, that it would not
between students, there will the ANU could justify the increases by demonstrating a students would have paid and higher quality of teaching. will pay. These changes also come Current President of the in light of recent surveys International Students Department (ISD), Suzy the most expensive place Nopamornbodee hoped that for international students. while the increase in fees would negatively impact current students, the two countries estimated that an year implementation allowed international student would current students to alter their spend more than $42,000 each
year on fees and supporting themselves, with students paying an estimated $3,000 less in Singapore and $6,000 less in the US. Australia also has the highest concentration of international students in the world with 20% of university students being international, Canada on quality of education according to the survey. International students in Australia are also subject to additional visa regulations. This includes a maximum twenty hours of paid employment a full-time load throughout their degree. International student representative groups are lobbying for travel concessions for all international students. Currently, not all states international students.
How
will
these
If you want to write for Woroni get in touch via: contact@woroni.com.au
BACHELOR OF L AWS RESTRUCTURED CAMPUS NEWS
The Restructuring of the Bachelor of Laws Program: higher grades and honours for everyone ANU is changing the way it lays down the law with a major restructuring of its Bachelor of Laws (LLB) program. The new program will commence in 2015 and will see all new Law students, and all existing students who transfer into the new program, graduate with Honours embedded into their Law degrees. Professor Stephen Bottomley, eDan of the ANU College of Law, stated that the main motivation for the change was compliance with the new Australian the national standards for Australian of ANU’s LLB program with increase the standard of ANU’s bachelor of laws 7 degree to a Level 8 bachelor honours degree. It will no longer be a requirement that students write a thesis in order to receive Honours.The program will, however,
this year’s Summer Session onwards Compulsory courses will involve research training and all electives within the College of Law will have at least 50%
grading policy within the college. Currently 2-5% of students are awarded High Distinctions, 10-20% Distinctions,
independent research in order to meet the students passionate about independent research will have the option of writing an extensive supervised research paper or thesis as an elective. One of the main concerns of current law students, however, is whether they will be able to transfer into the new Law Honours program, the answer to which will ultimately depend on each individual student’s degree plan. Students have been told that the main eligibility criterion is that they still have four compulsory law courses, and eight elective courses, remaining in their law degrees. Students who still have those twelve courses to complete will be able to transfer into the new program. However honours is not the only change to the LLB program. Law students from 11
28-32% of students will be awarded 8-12% of students to be awarded High Distinctions, half of which will receive a grade over 90%. These changes will see the law school’s grading practices become more aligned with those of the rest of ANU, and also with other law schools across the country. Drop in sessions at the College of Law are being held for any students who 23rd and 26th of September.
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
W
FEATURES/VIOLENCE
Trigger Warning: sexual abuse
In June this year, I attended a workshop at the University of Canberra exploring Violence against Women with Disabilities. It was incredibly heartbreaking to listen to Margie Charlesworth and Michelle Lee, two women with cerebral palsy, share their experiences of surviving abuse. The responses of crisis and justice systems to their situations made me feel sick. But the women did a huge service to everybody who attended when they discussed the realities of being disabled, female, and a survivor of violence. The issue of violence against women with disabilities is not new. I cannot to it. There have been a myriad of reports, studies and conferences that have explored this issue, yet there is hardly any awareness and very little has been done to resolve this complex and distressing problem. Before I continue, I understand that the disability label is problematic for various reasons. There are also various meanings that can be applied to the word disability. I would rather explore these meanings, and why some are problematic, at another time. I would, however, like to point out that the correct antonym for ability is actually inability. Disability is actually its own category and should not be treated as a dirty word. In saying that, I understand that how one wants to identify themselves is a very personal decision.
BY SUSANNAH FRENCH
DISABLED, FEMALE AND A
SURVIVOR OF VIOLENCE 12
I will also comment that because I am not a disabled person, my only intention (for this article and my general research) is to spread awareness and without speaking for people who identify as disabled. To clarify the realities of power relations between perpetrator and survivor, Maureen Sheehan, Head of the National
W
VIOLENCE BODY POLITIC
SUSANNAH FRENCH
Disability Insurance Scheme Taskforce, raised a very important point. She explained that, “when it comes to violence, the power imbalance is not caused by the powerlessness of the women with disabilities. It is due to the power of the perpetrator.” To further justify Sheehan’s point, Patricia Easteal, a law professor from the University of Canberra, argued that because disabled women are more prone to being on the margins, they are more prone to violence. Because they are more marginalised than non-disabled women, there are a wider range of abuses and perpetrators. The perpetrator is often their carer, spouse/partner, or a family member—exactly the people whom disabled women depend on the most, and exactly the people who can easily limit their economic and environmental the Australian paper Double the Odds presented in 2004 revealed that 90% of women with intellectual disabilities have been sexually abused, and 68% of women with an intellectual disability will be subjected to sexual abuse before they reach 18 years of age. This prevalence is consistent with overseas studies that include Australia. The high statistics are unsurprising considering that women with disabilities face a number of unique obstacles regarding disclosure or helpseeking in relation to domestic violence. Of particular importance are: • their greater social isolation • the impact of previous help-seeking experiences • being believed or taken seriously (e.g. women with cerebral palsy may have trouble being understood in their natural accent so their testimonies are not considered valid) • the sheer practical obstacles they face in obtaining information or assistance • a lack of awareness and skill on the
part of service-providers in dealing with women with disabilities who experience domestic violence • a lack of coordination and cooperation across services regarding these women’s needs.
are stereotypes and mythology that act as barriers to their access to justice. This is true for all women, but especially
“90% of women with intellectual disabilities have been sexually abused, and 68% of women with an intellectual disability will be subjected to sexual abuse before they reach 18 years of age.” true for women with disabilities. Professor Easteal brought to our attention that women with disabilities continuum is virtually instigated by this mythology of disabled people not having any sexuality. As Chris Jennings colourfully explains in her report, Triple Disadvantage: Out of Sight, Out of
following: 1. We must educate women and girls with disability that they are entitled to a life free of violence and exploitation. We need to provide them with training, appropriate to their level, in a proactive fashion and from a young age. 2. We must train all citizens to know that women and girls with disability are entitled to a life without violence and exploitation, as are all other citizens. We must provide stricter enforcement of laws that protect women and girls with disability. 3. We must assist women and girls with disability to understand what resources are available to them, and, as a society we must ensure that all necessary resources are created. 4. We must educate all professionals: emergency medical technicians, psychologists, social workers, and teachers about the systemic issues and their responsibility to actively protect and defend women and girls with disabling conditions. 5. We must create a singular system to completely and accurately keep track of the incidence levels of violence and exploitation against women and girls with disability to allow a better understanding of the breadth of this problem and to create appropriate punishments for abusers and exploiters.
not mothers, not lovers and certainly not lesbians. Because women with a disability are perceived as being asexual, sexual orientation is not a consideration.”
6. We must continue to research this issue to ensure a fuller and more complete understanding of the problem and to be able to create solutions.
History teaches us that violence and exploitation will not end. However, that fact is no excuse for not improving the quality of life of women with disabilities. Daniel Rosen (2006: 175) from D. Rosen Associates suggests the
Susannah French is a PhD. student, conducting a research thesis on the systematic underdiagnosis of autism in girls from a sociological perspective. If you want to share your knowledge with us just email: contact@woroni.com.au
13
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
W
D O M E S T I C V I O L E N C E COMMON PLACE IN SPORT?
VIOLENCE/SPORT
JOSHUA CHU TAN
The National Football League (NFL) in the US has recently been rocked with involved in domestic violence charges. These two cases have tarnished the image of the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell, all of a sudden, has a lot to answer to. However, this is not solely a problem in the NFL, in fact, this case has helped dig up a disturbing culture that seems to be more prevalent in sport than we know. Greg Hardy of the Carolina Panthers has been found guilty in July this year of domestic violence by a judge for assaulting a former girlfriend and threatening to kill her. Hardy has appealed the decision with a trial set to begin in November and as a result of this, he has been able to continue to play games for the Panthers.
too late? Sport teams have historically This case does highlight the somewhat lenient attitude of sport towards matters of domestic violence in the past. In 2006, in Major League Baseball (MLB), Philadelphia Phillies pitcher was charged with assaulting his wife on the streets of Boston. Witnesses stated that he struck her in the face and pulled her
involved in domestic abuse cases and this doesn’t play well for anyone. Consider young fans that idolize these sport stars. They see that these athletes can escape from conducting these acts of violence unscathed. They won’t see a player that is under investigation for assault, they see instead their favourite athlete continuing to be a hero on the
“Sport teams have historically failed to
former soccer player for Australia who is now an executive committee member at FIFA. “It’s encouraging to see administrators
More recently, Ray Rice, star running back of the Baltimore Ravens, has been video surveillance appearing depicting the player knocking out his wife in an Atlantic City casino elevator. However, before the full video of the incident (occurring in February) was released, Roger Goodell handed out a measly suspension of two games to Rice. He has now admitted that it was too soft a ban and has instilled a new domestic violence policy in the league resulting
hair. However, less than two days later, Phillies’ general manager explaining the decision with the following sentence, “he’s our best pitcher.” Multiple scenarios similar to this have now been uncovered and looked at seriously since the video of Ray Rice surfaced on the Internet. Is it too little 14
that sport has on what’s considered socially acceptable, and follow up words with actions,” she said. “Sport can bring out the best and the worst. It’s our choice – be a haven where ugliness can fester, or make it a leader in showing the rest of society how we can limit harm and help our best selves
“Sport is not a magic wand, but it is perhaps the most powerful tool we have for resetting norms among the playing population and their fan base.”
W
SUKEROKU
Week 8, Semester 2, 2014
ANU Za Kabuki 2014 37th Annual Japanese Evening
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Not knowing more than a few sentences in Japanese and having never seen a Kabuki performance before (or an Australian
tittering of the male cast as courtesans rather than the females with deep voices
droning female Agemaki to the Aussie
it was a window into traditional Japanese Props to the sassiest and best-dressed of Director and Head of ANU’s Japan Centre, said, “Please laugh!” intercultural and anachronistic themes ANU’s Za Kabuki is the longest-running Kabuki theatre group outside Japan and is
nondescript props helper dressed all in the not-so subtle insertion of Facebook with a black pillowcase on his head to
performance, almost all the participating students were learning Japanese as a loving labour of seven months of dedicated
intercultural technique was seen when the actors reiterated their lines, but in blunt Aussie accents with the male actors pillow case on his head, he provided
the classical Japanese script back in March performed in 1713 about the protagonist
end at intermission!
avenge his father’s murder, but dallies in
Although I’m not a native Japanese speaker, or indeed, a speaker at all, the Japanese
stumbled across the stage like a lunatic for
about Kabuki is that it does indeed contain
the actors had large amounts of lines – I can
entertainment and the evidence of huge
all in English, let alone another language!
to proceed with caution, but Za Kabuki’s other hand, had been given male kimonos
worth mentioning:
derived from viewing the high-pitched
courtesan, Agemaki, was masterful in his smooth transition between the simpering,
15
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
W
Above, Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, Source: G20.org
AUSTRALIAN POLITICS/WORLD Arthur Bi summarizes some useful lessons from the recent German federal budget for our Treasurer Joe Hockey. In Berlin on the 9th of September, the German Finance Minister Wolfgang since 1969, no more sovereign debt was required to fund the 2015 federal budget. Here are four lessons Joe Hockey could learn from the German experience in achieving a balanced budget: 1) Send the right message In comparison with our unpopular budget, the German federal budget is comparatively popular. One reason for such success might be that the German government has left the public with an impression of being consistent, stable and trust-worthy in budgetary matters. Indeed, Mr. Schäuble prudence in government spending for years. The latest example is his presentation of the 2015 budget, in which he stressed that ‘the government will implement his solid, trustworthy, and stability-oriented [budgetary] policies with calm and determination.’ In light of the German success, the reason for Hockey’s failure to ‘sell’ his budget to the Australian people seems threefold.
FOUR GERMAN LESSONS IN ‘FIXING THE BUDGET’
ARTHUR BI public that its budget is a fair and inclusive one. Instead, it is perceived by the public to be a budget all about ‘cuts’ driven by the LNP’s ideological ‘hostility’ towards the working people and university students.
is not a mean in itself’, rather it represents ‘the trustworthiness [of the German Government]’, which is ‘elementary for investors and consumers.’ 3) Beware of the ‘hidden debts’
Thirdly, the Government’s credibility is undermined by its changing positions on the ‘budget emergency’. During the election campaign and for some time afterwards, Hockey rushed to talk about a ‘budget emergency’. However, after this, Hockey
“In comparison with our unpopular budget, the German federal budget is comparatively popular... In light of the German success, the reason for Hockey’s failure to ‘sell’ his budget to the Australian people seems threefold. “
said that the Government’s budgetary position is not as bad as expected. Such inconsistency and confusion, a stark contrast to the consistency and stability under the German approach, served only in our Government.
Firstly, the Government is incapable of abandoning its rhetoric in blaming the preceding Labor government for its budgetary problems. This has left the public with an impression of a government unwilling to take responsibility. Unlike Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor , our Government has failed to convey the positive message that the budget is a plan to bring everyone together for a better future for the economy and future generations.
2) ‘Fixing the budget’ is not a means of its own
Secondly, unlike the German government, our Government has failed to persuade the
infrastructure, and social security. Schäuble himself conceded that, ‘a balanced budget
The third German lesson is that a balanced of ‘hidden debts’. These are the additional expenses in building the infrastructure the German experience, postponing the necessary investments now might lead to much heavier burdens on the budget in the future. 4) More, rather than less, spending for education and research The last lesson is that it is possible for a government to achieve a balanced budget without cuts to education and research. In contrast, the German government regards the skills and knowledge of its people as Germany’s most valuable assets, and it is to keep Germany as the world’s leading the fact that the amount the German government spent on education and research in 2013 is 160% of what it spent on 2005; or an increase from 2.51% to 2.98% of the gross domestic expenditure. Conclusion
‘Fixing the budget’ is not a means of its own, and the German experience warns the danger of being obsessed with the illusory
the budget’ will never receive the same level of support as that of his German counterpart. This is potentially due to the inherent German weariness towards
For instance, according to the German parliamentary oppositions, the ‘balanced budget’ is a mere political victory achieved
in German means both debts and moral blameworthiness. Yet, it is still not too late for Joe to learn from the German experience and make it right this time for the future of the ordinary Janes and Joes in this country.
16
W
Week 8, Semester 2, 2014
ASK NOT WHAT YOUR ALLIANCE C AN DO FOR YOU... The question for Australian policymakers in the Asian Century is whether Australia’s foreign policy remains on the right trajectory to best deal with the changes which will inevitably come to our region. With Australia contributing to yet another American foray into the Middle East, is it really within our interests to spend money and risk life in pursuit of American foreign policy? It is often hypothesised that, with the rise of China and other Asian powers, the US may someday have to decide – think anywhere from 2035 onwards – to what extent it wishes to maintain its primacy in the Asiahave to decide to what extent they wish to either accept, or contest, US hegemony in their backyard. Because developing military capabilities takes anywhere from ten to thirty years, Australia must make choices today based on the future strategic decisions of its neighbours. Australia has few options. Neutrality, both unarmed and armed, is as unfeasible as a south-east Asian regional security arrangement, or realignment with China. We must think practically; our best way forward is to wholeheartedly solidify our alliance (read: strategic insurance) with the US.
the shackles of strategic alliances and enmeshment. Considering its geographic location, it might be said that total neutrality has for New Zealand. However, unlike New Zealand, Australia would not have a ‘bigger brother’ to overcome before it is rendered vulnerable; Indonesia’s capacity Further, Australia’s vast repositories of uranium and fossil fuels, at land and sea, represent crucial economic interests which are desirable, and easily taken away. Coupled with the political inability to implement complete disarmament, this option will never be seriously considered. To develop the capacity to ‘tear an arm military spending would have to increase substantially, starting immediately.
Assuming we could get the money together, it is unlikely that any government would have the political capital for such a venture, especially when Australians only support drastically increased military expenditure during wartime. The development of any nuclear capabilities in Australia would similarly meet with considerable domestic resistance, and likely cause more instability in the region than any increase in conventional power would.
First, an assumption of continued military development is predicated on an assumption of continued economic development. This assumption is a dangerous one to make when China’s economic growth is widely predicted to decelerate in the medium term. Second, although trade ties are strong, Australia has very little in common with China in terms of shared history, values, or culture. When compared with our historical to see how an Australian government could convince its population that China, not America, should be our main ally in Asia.
“Instead of a US alliance, Australia could seek to build a regional defence network, where countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and South alliance to balance out any larger power.”
Instead of a US alliance, Australia could seek to build a regional defence network, where countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, form an alliance to balance out any larger power. By pledging to defend these states with Australian soldiers, Australia would protect its own territory and interests. However, the developing nature of these nations’ economic and military power renders this avenue untenable. Moreover, our trust relationship with the key player in this concept, Indonesia, is nowhere near what would be required; the 2014 Lowy survey indicates that Australians view Indonesia with more suspicion than China. Australia has traditionally relied upon a great naval power for its security. Assuming China maintains its military development trends over the next thirty years, it is possible that it could seek regional hegemony. Why not align with the power that would be naturally incentivised to protect its considerable energy investments and citizens here?
17
This leaves us with our existing low-risk and low-cost alliance with the United States. Could America potentially withdraw from Asia in the long to very-long term? Perhaps. This is why it is in Australia’s best interests to continually remind our great power ally of our usefulness and our dedication to our shared goals. We need to continue to pay our military insurance, and do so enthusiastically, so that we remain within America’s strategic calculations and, by extension, protection. Finally, before we make decisions based on a fear of abandonment by the US, we should remember the following. American Primacy in this region achieves sea denial and prevents power projection by other its position would make the US more vulnerable on its home turf to enemy forces. So long as America understands this, its interest in the region will continue. As General MacArthur once said of Taiwan, Australia represents a great southern unsinkable aircraft carrier and a valuable strategic asset to the US in the protection of its own interests. There is no doubt that the Asian strategic landscape is changing. There is no doubt that this carries unprecedented implications for Australian security in the coming century. Choices need to be made, and soon. However, above all, these choices need to be rational, and consider not only the economic rise of a few key countries, but the broader, more practical, picture.
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
W
ARTIFICIAL PLANTS AND FUEL FOR THE FUTURE Towards the end of last term I sat down with the ANU’s very own Professor Ron Pace to talk about
GIORDANO BORZUOLA
SCIENCE
most of us while we are in junior
comes when I ask whether there has been any ‘eureka’ moments in
that is fundamental to Pace’s work.
a conference where the various
and the future of humanity. Initiated by the late Warrick who had made some very detailed Professor Pace believes this can If he and his team are successful
chemistry [when it comes to water the audience and listened to this I the idea seems out of a science Pace jokes with me that while about Pace’s work is that he is money... any assistance that an
we will have a commercially
chemistry has been instrumental in viable alternative to current fuels within his lifetime.
for the future.
CAMPUS INSIDER What is Campus Insider? A look into the shady sausage-making of campus politics that doesn’t aim to slander the who’s who of hacks on campus but provide a genuine insight into the happenings that have, until now, been open secrets amongst the stupol elite. We promise to be nonpartisan, constructive and sometimes funny.
saw the leak of another batch of the Student House Party. Don’t we all love some uncontested elections involved. involved with the ANU Left Labor to run their own ticket under the
Hacking Continues
be the second casual vacancy in the current National Union of
Your favourite faceless men and
Post-elections blues:
earlier in the year and was
Bruises still haven’t healed from the crazy round of ANUSA
love the uncontested elections of asked about how the wounds of
to have a heavy involvement with the Union’s bid for funds from the Student Services and Dallas Proctor elected to the to see what role the new boys in
Are you a campus insider? Give us the goss! If you are at ANU and would like to contribute content for publication in Woroni you can get in touch via: contact@woroni.com.au
18
W
Week 8, Semester 2, 2014.
THE H U NG OV E R MYSTICS Illustrations by
MONOTONE HAZARD RATE
CONDITION
Do you have a way with words? - Get published. If you are at ANU and would like to contribute content for publication in Woroni you can get in touch via: contact@woroni.com.au
W
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
WELFARE REFORM: THE YOUNG AND THE JOBLESS At the end of this year the ANU will wave goodbye to another cohort of bright-eyed, bushy-tailed graduates. Most of these students – having sent the right market signals or made the right human capital investments - will enter the Australian labour market and transition into a life of full-time employment. But it is important to realise that these are the lucky ones. For a growing number of youth, the future involves learning how to navigate the country’s increasingly stringent welfare system. In the 2014-15 Federal Budget, the government announced a comprehensive set of welfare changes to make Australia “a nation of lifters, not leaners”. The Coalition government claims that our current system of welfare is unsustainable and needs reform. However, not only is this rationale statistically dubious, the solution may be incredibly harmful for
young people. For one thing, Australia’s golden age of welfare consumption Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey of 12,000 working age individuals showed that the percentage of people who had 23% in 2001 to 18.5% in 2011. Of course, you can argue that while the original system reduced the amount of people on welfare, what it does now is simply entrench the percentage and duration of those in long-term unemployment. But even if this were true, by forcing people under 30 to apply for 40 jobs a month whilst still being unable to receive Newstart for six months, if passed this legislation will force will be youths to enter the labour market without the necessary resources. Job seeking incurs numerous transaction costs
FAUX OR SIMPLY FAUX PAS? Whether it is for personal ethical or moral reasons, or simply that very realistic faux goods are appearing everywhere. This category of goods accommodates every budget. Faux fur and leather were once looked down upon as cheap substitutes, however they are now highly regarded, proving to be substantial competition for the real deal. Design houses have dedicated themselves to moving away from animal fur and leather to becoming a producer of vegan goods. This means that not a single animal is used in the production of any item.
Faux goods allow the use of beautiful textures in clothes to be used without harming a single animal. Designers have been incredibly clever in how they mimic the texture, appearance and look of the real thing using mostly synthetic substitutes. PVC often replaces beautiful, buttery soft leather, which is essentially soft in appearance, and can easily be mistaken for a real fur item. The price of these faux goods comes in an incredible range: a faux leather mini backpack from high end English designer, Stella McCartney will set you back $1,332, however a faux fur jacket
20
JOSEPH CHUMPETER
WORONINOMICS
such as purchasing appropriate attire for a job interview, buying transport to reach interviews, or even simply having enough
These welfare reforms also deprive various youth communities of income transfers which are then spent in the local economy at a higher rate than the incomes of workers that do not need to spend almost all of their money on rent and food. In Tasmania alone, the Tasmanian Council of Social Services fears that these welfare changes will deprive their economy of $78 million due to the $85 million in lost income. To make matters worse, there are claims, such as from Tasmania’s Mental Health Council,that these announced reforms have already created a spike in youth suicide due to fears of welfare loss. Extrapolating all this onto a national level, we see that these reforms could have a substantial negative shock on the entire economy. A more detailed case must be presented by the Treasury to justify these changes. Unless they can be defended by the dismal science, these dismal welfare reforms should not be pursued.
the entire process. By placing youths at such a disadvantage, we will potentially be extending their dependence on government and charity: all the while their stock of human capital depreciates over time, making it even harder contribute productively to the economy. The grim reality is that when the economy begins to falter, it is young people who feel the while the national unemployment rate rose from 4% in February 2008 to 6.1% in August 2014, the unemployment rate for 15-24 year olds hit a 13 year high of 14.1% in July 2014, almost doubling from the 7.7% it was in August 2008.
NIKITA HOLCOMBE
FASHION
from Australian Label, Unreal Fur, will cost you $250.
the garment is made, how it is made, and by whom. There is a great awareness of the process of creating a sustainable garment by ethical means.
The move of numerous designers within the fashion industry towards faux goods has been a result of the push towards sustainable fashion. Sustainable fashion is an environmentally and ethically conscious way to produce garments. The push towards environmentally friendly fashion rose from a desire to make garments that lasted and weren’t going to end up in the trash. These items and the production of these items strive to have very little impact on the environment. Sustainable fashion also stretches its horizons to where
You can do your part for sustainable fashion by purchasing from thrift stores, buying vintage goods or being conscious of where and how the product was made. Even purchasing a real fur from a vintage shop, rather than purchasing it brand new is positively contributing an environment for ethical and sustainable fashion.
W
INTERHAL S P O R TERM R O U N D - U
L T 3 P
Week 8, Semester 2, 2014.
RORY O’SULLIVAN
SPORT
Term 4 sees the battle for the sports shield heat up with a jammed packed sports calendar. the match performance in the about exact times and dates.
It was a term of upsets for the ISO sporting calendar across all sports as no college was able to defend their 2013 title. This term
1-0. again be crowned champions. Yet a determined Burgmann side
Netball saw another upset but and not the ousted. In one of the
gaining victories whilst in an win a single sport all term. soccer in recent times had placed them as red-hot favorites to take out the competition again this
Orgill saw Burgmann cause the upset of the season and claim scored in extra time to claim third against a valiant B&G side. In the men it was B&G who
three in a thrilling game. more clear cut with Burgmann running riot over Johns to
You’re into sport? So are we. If you are at ANU and would like to contribute content for publication in Woroni you can get in touch via: contact@woroni.com.au
match in the lead up to the grand
WABI SABI LEXICON This column is about words. More
MUSINGS OF AN EXISTENTIAL PILGRIM.
TOM CHEN The
aesthetic
of
wabi-sabi
the places where it has been a particular worldview which
that have no direct translation in English. If words give shape
of things. Kisses are wabi-sabi. terms with a relentless and sabi
thoughts. This week’s word is ‘wabi-sabi’ [WAH-bee SAHbee] which is a Japanese phrase that describes a particular form
encompasses
the
three
dissatisfaction and non-self. Wabi-sabi incorporates these marks of existence to produce an aesthetic that highlights the
It might be useful here to illustrate wabi-sabi with some further examples. Watching wabi-sabi. Sunsets are wabi-sabi. Watching little ducklings chasing after their mother in springtime is wabi-sabi. The term need not
be understood as a form of elegance that derives from rustic
sound equipment is wabi-sabi. The bitterness of grapefruit is
tea and contemplating. Or to just get lost in the mountains
the true state of the world is to true state of human nature is such that nothing can provide sustained satisfaction forever. elicit an appreciation of their
A handcrafted teapot that is not quite perfect and shows the marks of craftsmanship in the It is even more so if extensive use over time has caused it to develop a particular patina.
one is aware of their impending destruction. transience of the world. In this
21
emphasises
and
marks
out
Like words too? Exotic grammar? Esoteric languages? There is a society for this kind of thing. Like us on Facebook or email beyondthelexicon@outlook.com
W
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
A DREADFUL HOLIDAY I just have terrible luck with travelling. My holidays never seem to work out like they do in the brochures: white beaches, towels. Still, at least I have had experiences. I’d rather live in frightful conditions where law is not enforced and the main mode of survival seems to be violence against your fellows than stay in a four-star hotel any day. It’s more authentic. When I travel, I’m not a mere tourist. Whenever I go somewhere I want to get the real experience – live like the locals, do what they do. Of course, this is a little tricky when you catch the wrong bus and end up in the middle of the Islamic State. The Islamic State boasts a vast dominion over the cradle of civilisation, stretching between the Tigres River and the Euphrates. The territory is changing quickly, however, so remember to keep your passport handy. I don’t mean to be controversial, but I don’t
think the Islamic State is the ideal holiday destination. That’s not to say there aren’t positives, of course. Ever since I arrived in ArRaqqah, most people have been very friendly, with the common catch-cry being: “Musn’t grumble, could be worse.” In many ways I wonder why it gets such bad press – maybe it’s due to a lack of journalists here. Still, in spite of some nice things I’d probably have to sum up my time here as “Sheer brutal horror” and “Help me help me get me the fuck out of here.” I will not be leaving a good TripAdvisor review. It’s a shame that the holiday didn’t turn out – I was hoping to get a bit of R&R after my exchange programme to Kiev University. While it all started well, things got a bit hairy in December. At apocalypse-themed Christmas parade, so I joined in by throwing bricks at the police dressed as Santa. However, as this dragged
ROB MORRIS
SATIRE BY SATYROS
on into February I started to realise the truth and immediately tried to clean the blood stains out of my woolly beard. Not knowing much about Ukrainian politics I didn’t want to pick a side. In the end I joined a group of pro-Maltese separatists as a compromise. We shot down any sparrow that looked either pro-Russian or proUkraine and managed to capture a large chunk of Vinnytsia in the name of Valletta before we got distracted by the Eurovision Song Contest.
out earning the Iron Cross (which, I’ll admit, looks quite good on
But neither of those trips compare to the disaster that was my gap year. For some reason all my mates thought it’d be a great idea to spend a some time in the Somme during 1916. I only went along to impress Michelle Artois by like a man. Unfortunately, we ended up landing in the wrong side of the trenches and I found myself gunning down half the 14th French regiment. While I was
the bunker with Michelle and the others smoking cheap weed and saying things like “Wow, this is such an eye-opening experience” and “These people have nothing -apart from, like, the instruments of industrial warfare- but they’re so kind” and “When I graduate I’m going to come back here and help build a school for these poor soldiers.” In the end being overrun by the British at the Battle of Ancre came almost as a relief. At least it Of course, all of this pales into summer holiday 2009, when I went to Brisbane. Satyros is ANU’s only and most prestigious comedy society. They can be found on Facebook.
Experience ANU events.anu.edu.au
Featured events Public lectures
Other
Tuesday 23 September, 6pm
Wednesday 24 September, 6pm
13th annual ANU Archives lecture: The Real War? Battles on the Australian home front 1914–19
Wine & cheese with Hilary Charlesworth AM
Professor Joan Beaumont, ANU
China in the World Building, Fellows Lane Charges apply see events.anu.edu. au for more details.
Tuesday 23 September, 12.30pm
Wednesday 24 September, 6-7pm
Healthy adaptations to perfectionism
Art forum
Discover some useful insights into what perfectionism is and isn’t and strategies to minimise its negative impact.
Anthea Callen shows how landscape art became associated with masculinity and male virility. Roland Wilson Lecture Theatre, McCoy Cct
Wednesday 24 September, 7.30pm
The Great Green Debate Speakers include Scott Ludlam, Greens Senator for Western Australia, and Professor Jon Altman, ANU. Bruce Hall, 40 Daley Rd
Finkel Lecture Theatre, JCSMR, Garran Rd
Wednesday 24 September, 1pm
Archaean asteroid impacts & planetary evolution Dr Andrew Glikson, ANU RSES, J1 Seminar Room, Bldg 142 Thursday 2 October, 1.30pm
Locating the Chinese in Rangoon: the SinoBurmese Tuesday 30 September, 6-7pm
Thursday 2 October, 7-8pm
Worlds beyond our solar system
The Wife Drought: Why women need wives, & men need lives
Dr Daniel Bayliss discusses the search for Earth-like planets. Arthur Hambley Lecture Theatre (CHEM T1), Science Rd
Dr Jayde Lin Roberts, University of Tasmania PSC Reading Room, Hedley Bull Centre, cnr of Garran Rd & Liversidge St
PhD information evening Discover opportunities to begin docotral studies at the National Security College. Brindabella Theatre, Level 2, JG Crawford Building, Lennox Crossing Wednesday 1 October - Saturday 4 October
In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play Presented by National University Theatre Society Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre, ACT Charges apply see events.anu.edu. au for more details. Thursday 2 October, 9.30am-4.30pm
Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics Open Day Learn more about RSAA Masters, Honours and PhD programs.
ANU/Canberra Times meet the author with Annabel Crabb Theatre 2, Manning Clark Centre, Union Court
Thursday 25 September, 5.30pm
22
CSO Common Room, Mount Stromlo Observatory, ACT
The ANU campus is always alive with plenty to see, hear and do. All events held on the ANU campus unless otherwise indicated. Schedule is subject to change, please check website closer to the date to ensure event information is correct. youtube.com/ANUchannel @ANU_Events facebook.com/TheAustralian NationalUniversity
CRICOS#00120C_MO13163
The Auditorium, China in the World Building, Fellows Lane
Presented by the ANU International Law Society
W
Week 8, Semester 2, 2014.
THE GIG GUIDE Presented by Woroni Radio
A
C
A
D
E
M
FLORIADE NIGHT-FEST (YES THE FLOWER FESTIVAL)
Y
Friday, September 26: - Raw Talent Jungle Party
Runs from Wednesday, September 24 until Sunday, September 28
Sunday, September 28: - The Jump Club ft. Miracle (LIVE)
P H O E N I X Monday, October 6: - Paint on Paint, Kley, Fudge Factor, Ben Drysdale. 8pm.
ANU
Monday, November 3: - The CMC Presents The Bootlegs. 8pm.
BAR
Thursday, September 25: - Kingswood
S U B M I T .
Friday, September 26: - One Day (Horrorshow, Spit Syndicate, Jackie Onassis, Joyride)
KNOW OF A GOOD GIG COMING UP? LET US KNOW! EMAIL
Saturday, September 27: - Hands Like Houses
CONTACT@WORONI.COM.AU
T R I N I T Y
S M I T H S
Wednesday, September 24: - Kings of the North
Wednesday, September 24: - Cat Canteri, David Knight, Tessa Devine
Thursday, September 25: - Sarah Mcleod x Jack.Biilmann
Wednesday, October 1: - Blonde Friand, Myriad Ways, Lazy Harry’s
Friday, September 26: – Anklepants (FREE)
Wednesday, October 8: - Dylan Hekimian, Alex and Joel, Darling Mermaid Darlings
Sunday September 28: – Tall Black Guy Productions (US) (FREE)
Wednesday, October 15: - Electric Tommy Johnson
Friday, October 17: – The Tea Party Saturday, October 18: – BLUEJUICE (Farewell tour)
23
WORONI No.12 Vol.66
W MY
LOL
“It’s slightly more brown than usual, nice and slightly sloppy in consistency, and kind of knobby at one end.” - Stephanie Gronmeyer, Engineering 4th Year
FAECES “They’re small and hard at the moment, like a rabbit’s, I guess. They also have a weird smellsomething like decaying Cheezels.” - Robin Mukkracker, Economics Honours.
“It’s still a work in progress.” - Jeremiah Islamabad, Arts 3rd Year
“It don’t stink.” - Ian Young, Vice-Chancellor
ORONI
W
COMPLAINTS? CALL DIRECTLY AND REGISTER YOUR COMPLAINT HERE: (02) 6277 4372
A SHORT
OCCULTIC, VIGNETTE FEATURING THE THEOSOPHICAL ORDER OF THE ORANGE SQUARE AND CLIVE PALMER AS THE MISCHIEVOUSLY RACIST SPIRIT-DENIZEN OF THE SEVENTH ASTRAL PLANE ZENO
Hands trembling, the initiates of the stage of the evening, when the sacred wisdom of the Orange Square wind begins to howl mournfully reach into the centre of the table and behind the gently stirring curtains grasp the planchette all together, and the creatures of the night rouse great god Baal as they do so. Their slumber, and begin to hunt. The more casual guests have long since left the surface of the table. Their chanting of
jewellery,
crystal
champagne planchette moves across the table –
the dedicated few, hunched around
wandering uncertainly, tremulously, middle of the parlour. Divestfest across the Ouija board. As the initiates ’82 had gone well, but where were Fossil Free ANU to go now? It all astral realm: there anything left for the Divesters “What are we to do now, oh friends to do now that they had had their from the Realm Beyond? Whither successful referendum? Uncertain, go we now? There’s an idea some of us have been discussing: should feel-good cause in sight, and slightly we try to lobby China to adopt more policies jittery from all that organic jazz and environmentally-friendly zero carbon-footprint Benzedrine, during their development? What do they huddle together in the Spirit World? Yes? Or no?” from the witching hour, when all of The planchette quivers more sharply letter ‘T’ on the board. The chanting grows even louder, more expectant. and then increasing in speed: ‘H’ ‘E’ ‘M,’ ‘O,’ ‘N’… The board gives one last vacillating
away expectantly – and then, all of a
HUMANOIDS
OF
CANBERRA
“Sometimes, I get too emotionally attached to my paper-clips. They’ll leave me, and I’ll think ‘Where’s my paper-clip? Is it upset with me?’ But fax some forms to some people, and then when I’m done I’ll come back and my paper-clip again!’ And then I’ll go back to binding forms together. It can get to be very emotionally draining sometimes.” - Shahed Sharify, APS 2.
“WE’VE GOT AN ARBITRATION AGAINST THESE CHINESE MONGRELS, I’M SAYING THAT BECAUSE THEY’RE COMMUNIST, THEY SHOOT THEIR OWN PEOPLE, THEY HAVEN’T GOT A JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THEY WANT TO TAKE OVER THIS COUNTRY.” The table draw a sharp collective breath. It is obvious that they have of the astral plane – and have not been contacted by just any old daemon, but by the ancient spirit Eiael ‘Clive’ Palmer, sacred to the cabalistic priestly caste of the Old Archaemenid Empire. In fact, Eiael begins to assume material form above the table, a glowing blue cloud beginning to swirl faintly above the table, growing steadily larger and more corpulent. again, his voice tinged with awe:
24
Should we join forces with them? Tell us, what would our future hold if we The hands slide rapidly across the table, the wood hissing sibilantly at the planchette’s progress: “DREW HUTTON IS A TOOL OF THE US GOVERNMENT, AND ROCKEFELLER, AND SO ARE THE GREENS AND EVERYTHING THEY SAY. SIMPLE AS THAT. YOU KNOW, IT’S FUNDED BY THE CIA.” another question, when Clive bursts in again: “HOW CAN YOU EVEN HEAR ME? ANSWER ME - IS MY ASTRAL PALIMENTARY OFFICE BEING BUGGED BY ASIO?” The blue cloud begins to gently as one to press on in their quest to fathom the supramundane mind of the astral being: “Clive, should we protest the repeal of the Mining Tax?” YES.
a new message: NO OF COURSE FUCKING NOT, I AM THE PATRON SPIRIT OF WEALTHY MINING MAGNATES. I’VE NEVER MINED COAL. THAT’S A MEDIA BEAT UP. ACTUALLY YES. MAYBE ACTUALLY NO ACTUALLY WHY NOT A BIT. unable to comprehend the meaning of the delphic spirit. The board whirrs again: I’M NOT ANSWERING ANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR YOU SO GOODBYE. The Divest! Team’s disillusionment only increases as the glowing blue cloud turns to leave and hits a beneath the surface of the astral plane again. Tom Swann sighs: going to just have to try for Jabba the very useful last time. Much clearer. Very concise.”