Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

UF Response To Labour's student allowance pledge

Monday, 13 October 2008

UnitedFuture's response to Labour's student allowance pledge

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says he's not surprised Labour has promised students a universal allowance if Labour's re-elected, but notes the policy will not deal with the fundamental problem of student debt.

"UnitedFuture's policy of zero fees for all tertiary education, with a cap on what can be borrowed for a living allowance, means graduates will leave with much less debt," he says.

"Zero fees will encourage those in the workforce to study part-time and upskill. But part-time students who chose to also work and pay taxes are given nothing at all by extending allowances.

"While we welcome this extra help to students, student allowances are a short-term remedy compared to UnitedFuture's plan to eliminate fees completely. The cost of these policies is nearly identical, but we think the benefits of zero-fees are simple and fair.

"The fact is that course fees over time are increasing far above that of the cost of living at 5% per year. In ten years time, it will be tuition fees that are crippling students and raising debt."

Mr Dunne says that zero fees is the long term way to lower the debt burden for our young people, while encouraging people of all ages to continue learning throughout their life.

"That means they'll have more incentive to stay in New Zealand, buy a home, start a family and generally contribute straight away to the quality of New Zealand society.

"Labour's policy may deal with the short-term problem, but UnitedFuture's plan is a much longer-term solution.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.