Debt Dent Welcomed

Media
Release

Friday, 31 March 2006
Attention: Education and Political reporters
For immediate release

Debt Dent Welcomed

Tomorrow will see the introduction of Labour's interest free policy on student loans. This will be of great benefit to the country.

Students' associations have been fighting user-pays education since the '90s. It has been a long and hard campaign – though education has constantly been a top 3 election item, public surveys have consistently shown the vast majority of the public believe in free education. However, there have been only small achievements along the way - such as increased access to allowances and the limiting of tertiary fee growth.

Interest free is the first significant step in turning around user-pays education since it was introduced in the '90s.

"Whilst there is still a long journey to return the country to those wonderful days, this is a very welcome and necessary first step.", said OPSA Co–president Richard Mitchell.

"With no interest on student loans, graduates will feel less pressured to leave our shores, which will have immense community benefits including more qualified people available and lower professional service fees", said Mr Mitchell.

"Interest Free whilst not putting money into student's pockets will make the burden of student debt much fairer.", noted Mr Mitchell

ENDS

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