ALSF, as the name suggests, comprise members of the Liberal Party. They are not supporters of NUS, and have pushed for the organisation to be disbanded. No-one from ALSF, to my knowledge, has ever held a position in NUS. However, their preferences have occasionally led to unexpected outcomes, such as at the 2006 conference (where a far-left Independent candidate became General Secretary, instead of the expected right-wing Unity candidate).
ALSF exists at UNSW, but only barely. Similar to the federal Libs, there was something of a civil war last year between ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ members of the faction. They’ve participated in SRC Elections, in 2007 by themselves, and last year in coalition with Unity.
Where are they going? I suspect they’re still laughing over the chaos that was last year’s NUS conference. Alternately, they’re annoyed none of their NUS delegates went along to the SGM in January, if only to call for a quorum count – which, I am led to believe, would have caused NUS to become legally defunct.
Wrong, wrong, wrong.
ReplyDeleteCamillus O'Kane, a member of ALSF, NUS delegate and a student from UNSW (yeah, hurts to miss that one) attended the SGM. He was ALSF's only 'solid' vote that year, so it almost represents a 100% turnout. He was present for quorum, floor and ballot.
Even if he asked for a quorum count in malice, the result would have been moot. The SGM was quorate.
No one at that conference denies this fact. Professional ROs and independent credentialers do not deny this fact.
There was a reason why it didn't start for five hours after its scheduled time, and why people were running around like mad screaming 'we need quorum, we need quorum'. Because the factions refused to commence in an inquorate session.
The SGM was a delegate or two off quorum (due to last minute pull-outs and people pissing off throughout the day) and the conference had to wait until two delegates arrived from the airport.
Camillus could eventually have walked out, cause quorum to drop and become a Liberal hero, but he's not the sharpest tool. By the time he probably realised, the SGM had already conducted all business necessary to ensure its continuation of the organisation.