By Aiyda Khan
The candidates in Murdoch University’s Guild presidential elections have made their final pitch to voters in a debate.
The candidates had their chance to voice their current stand, the changes that they’ll make within the next year and how they plan to do it.
The candidates pitching their policies and answering counter questions at the Presidential Debate. Photos by Aiyda Khan.
One of the key aspects of campaigning this year is building awareness about the functions of and services provided by the Murdoch Guild.
Only five percent of the student body at Murdoch University voted in 2017. Experts say that highlighted a clear failure in the guild of making students aware of what they did and how their amenities money was spent.
The Bounce spoke to several students at the debate. Only one of them had voted, was aware of the Guild and in support of her friends running for different positions on the council.
“I like knowing what’s happening in university but that information isn’t easily available,” said Olympe Capar, a first year graphic design student.
“Choosing to vote on the other hand wasn’t very difficult because some of my friends are nominees.”
Students outside the Murdoch University Tavern unaware that the Presidential Debate is taking place inside.
Jamie Petrovich, a final year physical education student had a very different perspective of the Murdoch Guild and the way it functioned and was behind the reason why he hadn’t voted and didn’t plan to.
He says the Guild isn’t utilising the funds provided to them indirectly by the students to improve the quality of everyday life on campus.
“Compensating for the lack of parking spots with a dollar less on coffee isn’t the ideal student council,” he said.
“I don’t really have the time with the university work load to go through the candidates and their policies,” said final year student Shreyas Wadhwa.
“If they reach out to me and are able to convince me that they’re doing something worthwhile then sure.”
Voting began on the 22nd of October and will be open until the 29th on the Murdoch University website.