Wednesday, 20 December 2006

Cabinet paper on student loan bill released

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne today released a Cabinet paper on proposals that led to the introduction in November of the Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill.

"I am releasing the Cabinet paper, for public information, because of general interest in the operation of the student loan scheme, and given the number of borrowers who will be affected by the changes proposed in the bill," Mr Dunne said.

"The main focus of the bill is on resolving problems with the operation of the student loan scheme in relation to borrowers who are overseas.

"The Cabinet paper provides background to government decisions on matters such as the extension of the amnesty on penalties, the new repayment rules, reduction of the penalty rate, the three-year repayment holiday, interest write-offs, adjustments to the hardship provisions, and allowing data matching between Inland Revenue and NZ Customs," Mr Dunne said.

The 16 October Cabinet paper is available at www.taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz.

ENDS

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