The Greens idea of student power is union bosses deciding where students money goes.” “ACT ended compulsory student union membership in 2011 because freedom of association is protected by section 17 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. Universities then shifted the old association fee into a compulsory Student Services Fee, so students can still be made to fund union activity without even realising it. For a party that lectures everyone else about hardship and rights, putting union coffers ahead of students struggling with the cost of living is embarrassing. The Greens’ idea of student power is union bosses deciding where students’ money goes.