Standing Policy & Policy Volume

The Standing Policy of the Australian Liberal Students’ Federation forms our Policy Volume. Policies that are adopted by Federal Council and remain in force for three years unless amended or revoked.

Education

  • The Federation believes education is the cornerstone of Australia's success.
  • The Federation believes schools and universities must prioritise academic excellence, merit, and critical thinking.
  • The Federation believes education should be free from ideological interference and political activism in the classroom.
  • The Federation believes a strong curriculum must focus on literacy, numeracy, and STEM subjects to prepare young Australians for the future.
  • The Federation believes universities must be institutions of free speech, where students and academics can express ideas without fear of censorship.
  • The Federation believes students and their families, not bureaucrats, should have control over their educational pathways and choices.
  • The Federation believes in widening opportunities for education and ensuring all Australians have access to quality education.

Student Unionism

  • The Federation believes student unionism, like unionism in the workplace, must be voluntary.
  • The Federation believes no student should be forced to pay for an organisation they do not support.
  • The Federation believes the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is a compulsory tax that forces students to fund political activism under the guise of student representation.
  • The Federation believes the SSAF must be abolished.
  • The Federation believes students should have the right to choose how their money is spent.
  • The Federation believes student unions should exist on merit, earning the support of those they claim to represent.
  • The Federation believes competition, not coercion, improves services on campus.
  • The Federation believes universities must not facilitate forced collectivism under the pretense of student welfare.

National Affairs

  • The Federation believes in the Crown as the enduring embodiment of national unity and as a symbol of unity across the British Commonwealth.
  • The Federation believes Australia must be a nation that rewards hard work, innovation, and personal responsibility.
  • The Federation believes government exists to protect freedoms, not dictate choices.
  • The Federation believes national unity is built on shared values, not identity politics.
  • The Federation believes in the rule of law, under which there is freedom for the nation and its citizens.
  • The Federation believes a strong Australia is one that is safe, prosperous, and secure.
  • The Federation believes free speech must be protected at all costs.
  • The Federation believes no government or institution should have the power to determine which opinions are acceptable.
  • The Federation believes our democracy depends on individual liberty and the right to question authority.
  • The Federation believes the rights of Australians must always come before the interests of unelected activists and international bodies.
  • The Federation believes in the great human freedoms: to worship, to think, to speak, to choose, to be ambitious, to be independent, and to seek and earn reward.
  • The Federation believes in religious and racial tolerance among all citizens.
  • The Federation believes that only Liberal values are best positioned to serve the interests of rural and regional Australians.
  • The Federation believes in the spirit of the volunteer, where community efforts are strongest when based on voluntary cooperation and self-sacrifice.

Economic Affairs

  • The Federation believes free markets, low taxes, and small government are essential to a thriving economy.
  • The Federation believes prosperity comes from private enterprise, not government handouts.
  • The Federation believes Australians must be able to keep more of what they earn.
  • The Federation believes government spending should be responsible, restrained, and focused on core services.
  • The Federation believes overregulation strangles business, kills jobs, and undermines innovation.
  • The Federation believes aspiration should be encouraged, not punished.
  • The Federation believes the private sector, not politicians, drives economic growth.
  • The Federation believes the best way to reduce poverty is through opportunity, not dependence on the state.
  • The Federation believes national debt is a burden on future generations and must be controlled.
  • The Federation believes that improved living standards depend upon high productivity and efficient service, achievable only through free and competitive enterprise.

Foreign Affairs

  • The Federation believes Australia must stand strong on the world stage.
  • The Federation believes foreign policy must always put Australia's national interest first.
  • The Federation believes alliances with democratic nations, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, are critical to our security and prosperity.
  • The Federation believes Australia must have a strong defence force, capable of protecting our sovereignty.
  • The Federation believes trade deals should serve Australian businesses, not global bureaucracies.
  • The Federation believes foreign aid must be targeted, strategic, and serve a national interest, not fund corrupt regimes.
  • The Federation believes Australia must not bow to unelected international organisations that seek to undermine our way of life.

Environment

  • The Federation believes in practical environmental conservation.
  • The Federation believes protecting Australia's natural landscape must not come at the expense of jobs, industry, or economic growth.
  • The Federation believes market-based solutions, not government mandates, deliver real environmental progress.
  • The Federation believes radical environmental policies that destroy industries and drive-up costs must be rejected.
  • The Federation believes agriculture, mining, and energy production are vital to Australia’s prosperity and must be defended.
  • The Federation believes nuclear energy should be embraced as a clean, reliable, and scalable solution to Australia’s energy needs.
  • The Federation believes rural communities must not be sacrificed for ideological climate agendas.

Youth Affairs

  • The Federation believes young Australians deserve a future built on opportunity and choice.
  • The Federation believes young Australians must not be burdened with unsustainable debt caused by reckless government spending.
  • The Federation believes a strong economy creates jobs and financial security for young people.
  • The Federation believes housing affordability will only improve if the government stops restricting supply with red tape and excessive regulation.
  • The Federation believes entrepreneurship and innovation must be encouraged, not taxed into oblivion.
  • The Federation believes young Australians must have access to diverse career paths, including skilled trades, small business, and emerging industries.
  • The Federation believes government programs should empower young people to succeed, not create lifelong dependence on the state.

Authorised by Cooper Bates, Australian Liberal Students' Federation, RG Menzies House, Cnr Blackall and Macquarie Streets, Barton ACT 2600.