Taxpayers now turn to Hipkins to stick with Vic

24 SEPTEMBER 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chris Hipkins should refuse to sign off on Victoria University’s planned name change, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesman (and Victoria alumnus) Louis Houlbrooke says, “Education Minister Chris Hipkins is now the only man standing in the way of this costly, deeply-unpopular name change.”

“The University Council has estimated that this change will cost $962,000 – most of which will come from taxpayers.”

“This change appears to be driven by the Vice-Chancellor, with the views of taxpayers and alumni cast aside. It’s part of a sad trend that has seen bureaucrats and politicians push for expensive rebrands in order to cement a legacy. The Ministry of Children and the Education Council have had similar tokenistic rebrands.”

“Taxpayers fund Victoria University to deliver a crucial service. Every dollar and hour spent on this legacy-building project means less resources for genuine educational services. Minister Hipkins needs to take a sane stand on this issue.”

ENDS

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