While in Christchurch yesterday I visited Allenvale Special School where I was warmly welcomed with a waiata from the students and a presentation of artwork by two of the students. Allenvale is a co-educational Special School which caters for students aged 5-21. I was taken on a tour of the school by the Principal Graeme Daniel, Board Chairperson Peter Coker and members of the Board, all of whom were very proud of the school, its students and their achievements.

On the last day of term I was treated to two final school assemblies. During the first assembly, the students were finishing the term on a very positive note by practising giving positive comments to one another. By the kind remarks made, it was easy to see all the students thought a lot of each other. Next, I got to do a bit of singing and dancing with the younger students who were clearly enjoying themselves. I also had the opportunity to speak to the senior students, who by the sounds of it play a large role within the school, helping with the recycling, in the office and by reading to younger students. As one teacher commented “we couldn’t do it without them”. This initial 'work experience' is followed by opportunities to gain skills in the local community. These senior students had recently visited Wellington and obvious highlights were parliament, Te Papa and the Cable Car. They wanted me to pass on their best wishes to Prime Minister John Key.

It was a pleasure to visit such a lively environment and one where the students are much appreciated and valued. I am looking forward to visiting Allenvale School again in the near future to launch their new initiative which will provide an effective transition service for senior students to eight schools in Christchurch and as I've been invited to attend the Senior School Ball that night I'll have to hunt out my best dress!

There has been much media interest in Green Party Co-Leader Metiria Turei's Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill, which was considered in Parliament today. Voting on the First Reading of the Bill was a conscience issue - in that MPs voted as they saw fit rather than along party lines. The bill was voted down and will not go to select committee for further scrutiny.

Although it was nowhere near perfect I supported the Bill as I thought it was time to debate the issue of whether or not cannabis should be made legal for use in some medical conditions - time for a proper examination of the science.

Under the provisions of the bill those eligible would have become registered users of cannabis and they or their agent would have been permitted to cultivate and possess a small amount of cannabis. Some saw this as a precursor to full legalisation or decriminalisation of cannabis.

There is clear scientific evidence to show that some medical conditions, such as glaucoma, where the condition improved - why should someone go blind unnecessarily when there is a treatment that works? Other conditions - such as the nausea caused by chemotherapy - are brought under control with the use of cannabis.

There were some conditions listed in the schedule that I didn't agree with inclusion in the bill. Depression and schizophrenia were both listed but there are no mental illnesses that are improved by the use of cannabis, and many that are made worse.
Decisions should be based on science. If it can be shown that there is advantage in using cannabis to treat a medical condition, then we should be exploring those options.

As if yesterday's news of yet another Student Association executive member being jailed for misappropriation of funds wasn't enough I discovered today that Canterbury University Students Assn has announced an increase in membership fees (compulsory) from $85 to $533 per year. That's a 627% increase to "maintain services". If I was faced with a 627% increase in fees I'd be expecting somewhere around a 627% increase in services.

Does anyone really think this is acceptable? What do students think they are going to get for this increase? Is this value for money?

Time for Voluntary Student Membership.

A comparison would be good. Can anyone help with fees for other Universities and Tertiary Institutions?

As part of the public consultation phase for Defence Review 2009, the Ministry of Defence has developed a number of informative tools to help people understand more about the Review and the New Zealand defence Force (NZDF).

These tools include a public consultation document and brochure - officially released as part of the Defence Review 2009 public consultation launch on Friday June 26 at Te Papa - and a short DVD of NZDF images and comentary. This DVD will be used at information sessions on Defence Review 2009 around the country and is truly inspiring. Check it out below.

The discovery of what has been described as a "massive fraud" at the Christchurch Polytechnic Students' Association (CPSA) has stregthened the case for student association membership to be made voluntary.

According to an article in today's 'Press' newspaper, former CPSA office manager Helen Lenihan has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for stealing $175,000 from the association - $125,000 of which was unrecoverable. The CPSA case is just the latest in a series of thefts or misuses of funds from student associations throughout the country.

'December 1999 - Brendan McQuillan, president of Nelson Polytechnic Student Association, admitted stealing $8,004. November 2003 - Florence bailey, office manager of Massey Students Association, jailed for two years and three months after stealing $203,000. November 2005 - Victoria University Maori Student Association treasurer Wi Nepia jailed for stealing $161,000. 2005 - Otago University's Te Roopu Maori, the Maori students' association collapsed amid allegations of financial impropriety. Estimated fraud $21,000. April 2007 - Clelia Opie, officer of Victoria University Students' Association, spends $6,000 on phone calls.'

The fact is that compulsory student association membership creates a pool of money and a lack of accountability on how that money is managed. Misuse of funds in a voluntary organisation would result in a loss of confidence by members in the executive. But in student organisations, despite frequent fraud and theft, students are still forced to pay union fees whether they want to or not. Student associations are also often plagued by accusations of advocating only the views of their executives rather than those of their wider memberships.

Student associations don't representation, they provide mis-representation. Along with the financial improprieties, these associations are plagued with accusations that they advocate only the views and opinions of their executives rather than those of their wider memberships.

Student associations are one of the last kinds of organisation in New Zealand that can compel membership, and we are now reaping what has been sown. Students are able to choose what university or polytechnic they attend, and can choose what papers to take - it's time they were given the freedom to choose whether or not to join their local student association.