As a university situated only three kilometers (3km) away from Parliament House, ANU is in a prime position to set itself up as the nation's leading voice for Students.

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While the National Union of Students (NUS) provides a collective voice for affiliated universities around Australia, Many criticize the union as heavily entrenched in partisan factions and is often the hot-topic of debate for university affiliation within the ANU.

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While not aiming to replace the NUS, Forward is proposing an establishment of inter-university relations with other Go8 student unions and associations, in the form of a national council of student leaders. As Australia's National University, We believe it's time to assert ourselves as the nation's leader in student advocacy. We believe this organization can co-exist alongside the National Union of Students (NUS) as an amplifier of student voices on the national stage?

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How will a National Council Function?

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The National Council will function fairly similarly to the Global Group of 7. As an inter-university organization, The National Council will convene every year through a summit where all Go8 student presidents will meet and discuss a 'national consensus' of what the council identifies as pressing issues that need to be addressed by both university Chancellors and the Federal Senate's standing committee on Education and Employment.

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The National Council Is designed to give Go8 Universities a stronger, more powerful voice on the National stage. A voice that will set the direction of student activism within Australia's most prominent universities, With ANU as the lead voice.

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Will this National Council Undermine the NUS?

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Short answer, No.

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While the National Council is purposed for the positioning of a national direction for student advocacy via directly elected members of the council from each G08 University, the NUS will continue to be a champion for student activism as a representative body. The National Council is primarily an executive body who will comprise of directly elected members while the NUS will maintain their autonomy through delegates from all affiliated universities.

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