Labour has kept all its promises to students

Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey is rebutting allegations by National’s tertiary education spokesperson Simon Power that Labour has broken its promises to students.

He said in government between 1999 and 2002 Labour has implemented the pledges made in its 1999 tertiary education manifesto Nation Building.

“I invite Simon Power to review Labour’s record in government. He will find that we have ticked off every promise we made to students.

“The promises with particular impact on students were: not charge interest on loans while full-time and other low income students are studying – PROMISE KEPT stabilise fees – PROMISE KEPT provide financial assistance to Student Job Search – PROMISE KEPT undertake a thorough review of the loans system – PROMISE KEPT repeal the voluntary student association membership legislation – PROMISE KEPT establish a Tertiary Education Advisory Commission to advise government on the long term strategic direction for tertiary education – PROMISE KEPT renegotiate funding for dental education at the University of Otago – PROMISE KEPT fund all students who enrol in an approved course at an accredited institution – PROMISE KEPT establish a Tertiary Ombudsman’s role within the Ombudsman’s Office to provide a quasi-judicial appeal authority for students – PROMISE KEPT.

“If Simon Power seriously wants to start holding Labour repsonsible for policies it campaigned on in 1996 – when the party lost the election – we will start holding National to account for the promises Lockwood Smith broke during the 1990s despite campaigning on them all the way through the 1990 general election,” Steve Maharey said.

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