Vice President responses

Interviews with Vice Presidential candidates: Britt Baker, Andrew Tole, Jas Holmes and Tess Roussel

Britt Baker

1. As VP, what would be your key policy focus? How would you bring this about?

My key policy focus would be on disability support. As Education Director, I implemented the Disability Support Drop In Sessions (‘DSDIS’). These sessions involved facilitating confidential and supportive gatherings with the Disability Liaison Officer, who reported back to me with general suggestions and feedback. I received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students with disabilities who attended.

I was really proud of this initiative and wish to continue it. As VP, I would work with faculty to implement policy changes where students with disabilities feel the Law School could be improved. I would also like to work towards appointing a Student Disability Officer to be a direct point of call for students with disabilities, and to help coordinate the disability support initiatives.

2. What do you see as being the special value of the LSS, as distinct from the role of other student groups?  

Having been on Committee for two years, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply LSS representatives care. Students volunteer their time (including weekends) to organise events and initiatives.

From the blood, sweat and tears that go into competitions, activities and careers events, to the fantastic speakers we get at Women’s, Queer, Indigenous or ESJ events, the LSS is a rich and diverse body.

3. What should the student body expect of the LSS? Are you able to deliver on those expectations - why?

Receptiveness and continued resources.

I successfully continued Education Initiatives such as the STS, Stepping Stones, Pathfinder, the Orientation Guidebook and Video, the Sir Anthony Mason Lecture, advocacy and events. I also introduced the DSDIS’.

This track record indicates that my ability to deliver. Moreover, I am always open to listening to expectations, concerns and ideas.

Andrew Tole

1. As VP, what would be your key policy focus? How would you bring this about?
 
My key policy focus as V.P would be to build on the work we began in the Queer Portfolio for the Diversity Guide. This would be a companion to the Clerkship Guide but focuses on the equity and social responsibility responsibility policies of firms and departments. I think this would be ideal for the V.P to organise as they’re across multiple portfolios, as this work would involve all the equity and representative LSS portfolios. Practically, this would be brought about by contacting firms and departments to get the survey information they already provide to reporting bodies, deciding which responses to include (on the advice of the directors) and publishing it (either online or in print). We were advised this year by a partner at Corrs that the surveys would be available as well. 
 
2. What do you see as being the special value of the LSS, as distinct from the role of other student groups?  
 
The special value of the LSS is that it isn’t a political group, it’s truly a support system. Its value comes from the support it gives to the students, from textbook subsidies to mentoring events and amazing representative portfolios. The LSS’ thoughts never depart from student wellbeing.
 
3. What should the student body expect of the LSS? Are you able to deliver on those expectations - why?
 
The student body should expect the LSS to create platforms and opportunities for knowledge sharing, comradery  and most importantly a break from our studies. These breaks can still be law related but should importantly ground it in reality. Too often the law is an ivory tower. The LSS should provide platforms to observe the law intersectionally and not just on a whiteboard. I believe I can help facilitate this approach through my honesty, commitment and demonstrated ability as Queer Director. 

Jas Holmes

Question 1: As Vice President, what would be your key policy focus? In practical terms, how would you bring this about?

My mission is to facilitate greater accessibility and familiarity with MLS wellbeing services. A good start would be to create something like a centralised ‘Wellbeing Handbook’ with factsheets, ‘how-to’ guides and quick-links. I will also be fighting for access to lecture recordings, as the current policies do not adequately account for the subset of JD students who may be unable to attend lectures due to other commitments such as work or parenting.


Question 2: What do you see as being the special value of the LSS, as distinct from the role of other student groups?  

As the largest student organisation within MLS, LSS has a highly visible presence in the law school, and majorly shapes student life. As Australia’s largest law student organisation, the LSS has been on the front-line of progressive change within like organisations.

We are incredibly privileged to have such a diversity of portfolios within our committee, which positions us well to reach out to and advocate for a wider range of students. Between social events, student tutorials, careers panels, networking events, student advocacy and more, there is something to be gained for everyone.


Question 3: What should the student body expect of the LSS? Are you able to deliver on those expectations, and if so, why?

The LSS is run for the benefit of law students. We are here to improve your experience at the law school. At the risk of sounding cliché, we stand firmly by our open-doors policy, and want students to feel comfortable sharing their ideas with the LSS to spark challenging, productive conversations.

Having been on the LSS for 2 years now, I have come to understand why students feel ‘shut out’ from the LSS. I realise that as an organisation, the LSS tends to be somewhat insulated from the wider JD community. I think we still have a long way to go in this respect, but it would be my duty as your VP to seek more involvement and feedback from the student body, and to work on creating positive and respectful channels of communication.

Tess Roussel

Question 1: As Vice President, what would be your key policy focus? In practical terms, how would you bring this about?

I have been an international student my entire life, and this led me to run to be the international students representative but I was aware that I was only one international student experience. Everyone’s experiences pressure them in different ways (career pathways, identity, academic, living situation…) and being aware how everyone’s experience can be different and how to address it, would be my focus as a Vice President. In practical terms, I want to maintain the good relations with Faculty, continue the projects that previous Directors have started or improved, and ensure the incoming Directors are well supported in continuing the good work.

Question 2: What do you see as being the special value of the LSS, as distinct from the role of other student groups?  

The special value of the LSS is being able to provide the students with so many opportunities through all its portfolios. The LSS collaboration with other student societies, which provides students with different careers pathways and diversity support, is important to make sure that the students can identify and feel as supported as possible.

Question 3: What should the student body expect of the LSS? Are you able to deliver on those expectations, and if so, why?

The students should expect the LSS committee members to be responsive to their needs and to be dedicated. I have introduced the LSS into the international students orientation to ensure that they could bond with each other, but also get to know the LSS. This was an important step to make sure they felt welcomed and supported. A part of the cohort already has access to many resources and advantages, but it is the part of the cohort that do not necessarily have access to these resources the LSS should work towards helping. I have been collaborating with Faculty all year long for international students, as well as with the other student societies. Collaboration is of one the practical ways to ensure that students are advocated for and well represented.


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