I spoke to Jasmine this morning, and what you are saying about the excessive reliance on lawyers is simply not true.

Most of the legal costs from this year have resulted from having to deal with leftover issues from 2007 and 2008 that were never dealt with by Geoff Hayward or Joel Cosgrove (such as the outstanding Collective Agreement from 2008 which, despite Joel’s claims to the contrary, was never finalised). She ahs actually taken it upon herself to perform much of the legal legwork, such as writing letters and the like. In fact, the issue over Joel’s misappropriated funds from 2008 has largely been handled pro-bono, thanks to the help of Chris Bishop.

The following are Jasmine’s own words, which are fairly thorough:

“I am aware that there are rumours that VUWSA has spent too much money on lawyers fees this year (including claims that VUWSA has spent $100,000 on lawyers). To date, this sum is a little over $14000. Almost all of this money (bar about $500 which was spent on clearing proposed constitutional amendments, which is mandated under the Constitution, and a small amount on clubs liabilities) has been spent on HR issues directly related to former Presidents. These include, for instance, settling grievances from 2007 and 2008 which should have been done way before I even took office. This also includes the VUWSA staff collective agreement, which expired last year on 31 July. Unfortunately, Joel left the collective (as with many other things) in such a state that I have had absolutely no choice but to seek legal advice. In fact, VUWSA would be left wide open to serious problems if I had not taken the steps that I have. To be quite honest, VUWSA could have spent considerably more money on lawyers this year. The reason that VUWSA hasn’t is that I have done all the ‘legal groundwork’ myself – arranging sessions at the Department of Labour’s mediation service, meeting with Helen Kelly (President, CTU), writing dozens of memos to Unite, convincing Matt McCarten (National Secretary, Unite) to fly down to Wellington and meet with me so that we can sort out the collective in a professional way. None of these steps were taken by Joel (nor by Nick or Geoff). In a ‘normal’ situation, they probably don’t need to be. However, the mess that I have inherited is extraordinary, and does require such steps to get the Association back on track.”

Cheers, Matt.

you’re clearly not paying attention. Salient reported the amount spent on legal fees They were at the meeting. It’s a couple of hundred over $14k. Mostly due to a couple of disputes from earlier execs that weren’t addressed by former Presidents (mostly Joel and Geoff), as well as the legal costs incurred from Joel fucking around, not paying back the $1200 owed to the association re the Australia trip, and then the rest is general legal fees from the good running of the association, so it is not liable (because trust me, if they didn’t use legal advice for such things, it would cost much more when the shit hit the fan).

It’d be terrible if Jasmine was a legal expert/lawyer who used legal fees. but grow up, she’s not trying to cover *her* ass, she’s covering the association’s ass. it’s pretty standard. are you a fucking first year or something? because you dont seem like you know shit about anything.

you’re a fucking idiot. shut the hell up, no one cares for the lies you are spouting for god knows what ulterior motive. anyone with half a brain can see what a fucking excellent job jasmine is doing as president – in fact, i think we’re all a bit staggered by it.

if anyone is a threat to the waste of students’ money, it’s fuckwits like you.

*Slaps forehead*