(earlier killed version had incorrect byline..)
Tertiary Education Minister caught with foot in mouth

Liz Gordon MP Mon Sep 20 1999

The Alliance said Max Bradford should have read the Alliance Tertiary policy before putting his foot in it.

'Max Bradford hadn't even seen the policy before he started attacking it, not a very responsible thing to do for the Ministry of Tertiary Education', Alliance education spokesperson Dr. Liz Gordon said.

'The Alliance policy will not increase student borrowing. Once full allowances are introduced and fees are abolished there will be no student loans scheme.

'Free education will not cost $600 million as he claims, it will cost $425 million.

'Lets have a real debate about tertiary education with all the facts. For around the cost of National's promised tax cuts we could have a free education system in New Zealand.

'Since 1991 fees have increase by an average of 165%. Student debt has forced hundreds of the brightest New Zealanders to leaving the country.

'Max Bradford wants to axe four universities and increase student debt to $10,000 million by the year 2013.

'He is quite happy for 250,000 young people to have mortgage size debts before they even think of owning their own house.

'It is this government that is giving handouts to people who don't need them. In the last few years they have given $2,500 million in tax cuts. The majority of this has gone to the richest New Zealanders.

'122 years ago today school education became free, today we are taking the next step.

'We need far more tertiary educated people in New Zealand. This policy will allow a huge increase in participation while spreading the burden across the community not placing it at the door of students.

'The National government has always been too scared to debate free tertiary education. I challenge them to debate with me anywhere anytime', Liz Gordon said.

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