The tax cut plan announced by the National Party would give the average university student half a loaf of bread a week says University of Canterbury Students' Association President Darel Hall.

"Unfortunately that does not stack up against increased costs for driver

licences ($30), car registration ($40), fees ($340), electricty (over 10%), reduced access to the Community Wage, restrictions on Allowances, and the high cost of servicing student loan debt"

"The most recent information available (CM Research November 1996) demonstrates the average university income is approximately $15 000. The tax cut represents a net increase of income of one-third of one percent, or about a dollar a week: half a loaf of bread. What this government gives with one hand it takes away with an army of hands."

"Students are after a fair deal not a free ride. This government has proven unable to engage in constructive dialogue and policy development to enhance the confidence of students that National can deliver a fair deal," Mr Hall said.

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>