By Pia Bobeff
Today marks the start of the 2027 ANUSA electoral campaign, with new parties and candidates being announced.
One such party is impact. for ANUSA who “is focused on you, the students of ANU” and who, impact. states are “proud to be running a full ticket with a cohesive and united vision for ANUSA”. Their policies reflect impact.’s “unwavering commitment to the education, welfare and social lives of students” as they look to, through ANUSA, “make real impact”.
At the forefront of impact.’s ticket is Leila Clarke, who is running for ANUSA President and Undergraduate Member of ANU Council (UMAC). Clarke is the 2026 ANUSA Welfare Officer. In her role, she has expanded the Union Pantry, making food staples more accessible to students. She has also previously organised the ANU Refugee Action Campaign, helping to advocate for humane treatment of refugees.
Running for Vice-President is Flynn Wade-Schneiders, this year’s Environment Officer, who according to impact., “runs the most active Environment Collective ANU has seen in years” and who is “ready to advocate for issues that students care about”.
Whilst other candidates are yet to be announced, their media statement states that impact. “represents a cross section of the ANU population”, referencing that their team is made up of students with previous experience in a range of roles. This includes “current ANUSA executive and SRC members … department heads [and] residential hall presidents”.
Their policies include establishing $5 meals for students to help alleviate cost of living pressures whilst ensuring students who don’t have access to catered accommodation will still have access to nutritious food options. This policy is something Clarke is “confident … will make a real difference to countless students” as through running the Union Pantry she saw “proof that food insecurity is a real issue affecting students”.
Food services are not the only thing impact. is committed to ensuring students have access to, with Wade-Schneiders stating that they are committed to support services. He claims that “students deserve better support in their education, and [that the] cost cutting measures from ANU [aren’t] good enough”. As such they are committed to “unf**k[ing] student hubs” to ensure that students receive accurate information and advice so that students can have the “quality education” they deserve.
impact.’s third policy is to create more opportunities for student performances through having student gigs each term. They are “confident” that they are the “only ticket with the expertise required to continue to expand campus social offerings in a meaningful way”.
Observer will have more to come as the electoral season progresses.
Graphics by Anushkaa Ahuja
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