Joyce Appointment a Mixed Bag

Joyce Appointment a Mixed Bag

Auckland University Students’ Association President Elliott Blade says the appointment of Steven Joyce as Minister for Tertiary Education presents a mix of opportunities for the Tertiary Education Sector.

“As a new MP, Mr Joyce brings no ideological baggage to the portfolio. Coupled with his track record as an innovative thinker in business, we believe Mr Joyce is a great fit for the portfolio.

“We hope he’ll put his creative thinking skills to use when dealing with some of the challenges in his portfolio, rather than rely on a failed formula of funding cuts and restructuring.

“From a local perspective, it’s also nice to have a Minister who calls Auckland home.

However, Mr Blade says that the appointment has generated some concern amongst students.

“Mr Joyce has a well deserved reputation as the Government’s “Mr Fix It”. His appointment raises the prospect that the Government is considering substantial changes in the Tertiary Education Sector.

“That could mean raising the cap for fee hikes or dismantling the Tertiary Education Commission. We hope that if Mr Joyce has been brought in to drive through change, he will signal this now.

“If substantial reforms are on the cards, there needs to be a full and frank public discussion with students,” says Mr Blade.

ENDS

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