Property Law Contents

1. THE CONCEPT OF PROPERTY

Traditional Classification of Property - real and personal property

Meaning of Property

2. THE CONCEPT OF POSSESSION

1. Possession as Source of Proprietary Interest

• a) Possessor v’s Third Party
• b) Remedies for Recovery of Possession – Ejectment
• c) Adverse Possession

3. MEANING OF LAND

1. What is Land?

2. Physical Limits of Land

• a) Air Space
• b) Below the Surface
• c) Fixtures – The Cusp Between Land and Chattels

3. Modification of the Doctrine of Fixtures

• a) Common law right to remove fixtures
• b) Statutory right - examples
• c) Encroachment by buildings

University Takeover

Murdoch University is planning to seize student common space currently used by the Guild of Students. The Murdoch South Street campus already provides minimal space for students and this take over will see that space further reduced.

 
Currently this space is used for an award winning computer recycling program, an environmental collective, safe space and common rooms for Queer and Female students and two student club rooms. The university intends to transform the rooms into teaching and office space, effectively shutting down the computer recycling program and further reducing places for students to meet and discuss social justice issues such as climate change on campus.

 The computer recycling program known as 8ball has helped thousands of students and members of the community to gain access to a computer. The program is run by student volunteers to benefit the whole community including communities in Africa and Asia. “ If the space is taken away, then it will effectively mean shutting the program down, as we have no other space big enough to house the program”, said Reece Harley, President of the Murdoch Guild of Students.

 Likewise, student common space will be shut down if the takeover goes ahead. Clare Middlemas, the Women’s Representative for the Murdoch Guild commented that “the Guild’s Women’s room and Queer room are safe places for women and students who identify as queer to go on campus. The Women’s room provides a space free from sexism and negative stereotyping, and allows women to get to know and help each other. The Women’s and Queer room are used regularly, and if taken away, would have such a detrimental effect on so many vulnerable students”. 

 Universities have throughout history served as places of debate and critical thought, playing a crucial role in our ever changing progressive society.  At a time when queer and environmental issues dominate our media and political landscape it is important for Murdoch university to continue this tradition of critical thought  and progressive leadership, instead of shutting it down.

 
The Murdoch University Guild of Students are currently organising a campaign to stop the university takeover and protect student common space. Harley commented that: ‘Although the university is moving on this issue during exam period in the hope that students won’t campaign against the issue, we know that so many students use this common space and care about it that they will help to defend it.’

Last day

Well today is the last day of voting, you have until 4:00 to log in and vote at - http://www.murdoch.edu.au/admin/elections/  if you haven’t already.

I will be out all Friday encouraging those who haven’t already voted to take 2mins and vote online.

Thank you to everyone who voted for me and the team. With any luck it will be a Basha Stasak/Clare Middlemas guild next year and we will see change. I will post the results here on Monday  when I receive them.

Elections coming to an end…

Well the student elections are coming to an end, its been a exciting week but I am glad its almost over !!!

If you haven’t voted yet please do at - http://www.murdoch.edu.au/admin/elections/

We are trying to change the way the guild functions,  to ensure it communicates with students and is actually relevant.  However we can only do that if people take 2mins and vote.

I know alot of people complained about the Guild this year but things will ONLY change if you vote !!! there are 3 candidates this year with 3 different approaches. If you want change then vote…

Election Candidates

 
My campaign is focused on providing services to students because while activism is important it will rarely have an immediate effect. I believe the guild needs to do all it can to support students that include providing cheap meals and $2.00 coffee. Of course that is not all the guild is about, which is why I am campaigning for a guild that fights for social justice and environmental issues.

A student guild needs to be active and communicate with students, to ensure students are familiar with the guild.

 

According to Reece Harley we have following three candidates for the Guild Presidency;

1.      Clare Middlemas (a member of ‘Resistance’ http://www.resistance.org.au/wrsf14);

2.      Basha Stasak, a conservative, service-provision focussed candidate and;

3.      him

While we do have 3 candidates I disagree with the portrayal:

1.      Clare Middlemas an active guild member notably know for the JET campaign

2.      Reece Harley a Labor member and current guild president who has achieved few outcomes in 2007, I mean who really heard of the guild this year ?

3.      and myself, I have goals for 2008, instead of just overarching beliefs, because to instigate change you need targets.

So if you want an active, student focused guild next year vote….1. Basha Stasak & 2. Clare Middlemas

 

Student Elections

The 2007 student elections have started and they are looking to be the most contested elections for several years. The candidates for the Guild Presidency are diverse and it will be interesting to watch how campaigns pan out.

 I am running for Guild President and you can read about my campaign at http://studentsforstudents.110mb.com.

 You can vote either by following the link on my website or visiting the guild website at http://guild.murdoch.edu.au.

 Take 10 mins and make an informed vote, there are 29 prizes to win and you will be supporting your student organisation.

Murdoch Tavern

In response to comments on my blog about Tavern opening hours and happy hour, here is the official information.

Tavern opening hours have been posted on the website and any changes will be posted there. Currently they are Monday to Wednesday - 11.00AM -8.00PM & Thursday to Friday- 11:00AM - 9:00PM. These hours may be extended if the tavern has functions booked. Currently trade does not justify the tavern being open later.

The Tavern manager is currently looking into the most appropriate time to run happy hour. Live music has been asked for by the Guild Secretariat , and as the tavern settles into normal trading patterns, everything should fall into place.

I hope that answers everyones questions, if not please comment below.

In case the link doesn’t work, the tavern website is : http://guild.murdoch.edu.au/services/outlets/guildtavern/

2007 Guild survey

After several IT disasters, including the server crashing and the entire survey being lost, the 2007 Guild survey is finally here. Whether you are a financial member or not, whether you like the guild or hate it, please take time to complete the survey. Only by telling the Guild your concerns can we try to do something about them . This survey will go a long way in making sure next years Guild is the type of Guild you want.

You can access the survey here or at http://guild.murdoch.edu.au/surveys

Update on Murdoch tavern

Due to the large amount of interest in my post on Mad Thursdays, I am going to give a quick update on whats been happening. Most of you have no doubt noticed most if not all of these changes.

• Regarding the hours, the tavern will be staying open till 8:30/9:30 depending on business.
• The Plasma TV has arrived thanks to the quick work of the Guild Manager and the University
• The new chairs have also arrived, with tables on there way

Things for the 2008 Guild to Achieve

As the end of the year draws ever nearer I thought I would start a list of things the 2008 Guild could aim to achieve . Obviously there are somethings all Guilds aims to attain, this list is specifically for things the 2008 Guild could work towards. At the moment its very short but I will add more as things occur to me. If there is anything you would like to see the Guild bring about next year please add it in comments and I will put it on the list.

Educational Representation

• Ensure active student representation in the new university structure
• Hold Semester 1 Survey solely on educational issues for better representation
• Inform students of educational issues on campus via email bombs, meteor ect
• Continue to work towards achieving Common Rooms
• A notes sharing community to allow students to share notes from past classes (this could potentially work well)
• Ability to rate courses not just units on the alternative handbook
  

Student Services

• Cheap wholesome meals at Walters (we are slowly getting there)
• Second ATM on bush court(might happen this year)
• $2.00 coffee (saw this at Adelaide University, I though it would be great, though possibly financially unsustainable)
• Online Classifieds ( I am currently working on this)
• Online Job register
• More events and services at Rock & Peel campus
• Food at the tavern
• A networking site for Murdoch students to share information on courses, join clubs (i.e Facebook/My space style)

Campus Life

• Hold at least 3 forums a semester on student related issues ( JET this year was a real success)
• Live entertainment at the Tavern ( might happen this year)
• Quiz Nights
• Live music on bush court