Friday April 1 2005

Hon Jim Anderton MP, Progressive Leader

Report highlights why Progressive wants to cut graduates' debt

A research report entitled Doctors & Debt, published yesterday, highlights again why the Progressive Party is campaigning in this year's election with a policy to cut the debt of graduates in return for them committing to use their skills working in New Zealand, says party leader Jim Anderton.

"I agree that there are strong public health, social and economic reasons for central government to take this type of research seriously and to act on it.

"If the Progressive Party is again represented in the next Labour-led government, we will advocate our debt relief for graduates' policy to be incorporated into coalition government policy as a priority.

"Hopefully we'll do so with the same success as we have over the past five years advocating for industry and regional development, Four Weeks' Annual Leave for workers, paid parental leave for working families, Kiwibank, the large budget screen production grant, amongst others," Jim Anderton said.

Yesterday's report, which examines the social and economic effects of student debt on New Zealand's doctors, highlights the negative financial and social effects of high student debt for the future medical workforce.

PROGRESSIVE PARTY'S POLICY ON GRADUATE DEBT CAN BE VIEWED:
HERE

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