John Key moves from user pays to employer pays education

John Key's suggestion that employers should receive tax cuts for paying off student loans is bureaucratic and irrational according to Progressive Deputy Leader Matt Robson, who is meeting with students in Canterbury today.

"John Key, who regularly complains about business compliance costs and red tape, is now suggesting business increase those compliance costs while paying off the student loans of t\eir workers. National's education policy is moving from 'user pays', to 'user and employer pays' education.

"The Progressive Party is proposing to pay the annual student loan debt repayments for those graduates who stay and work in New Zealand. This is a much less bureaucratic system, which offers student incentives to contribute to our economy, rather than leaving the country.

"Our goal is a free tertiary education system because New Zealand is currently in a critical global competition with developed nations for talented and educated employees. Free tertiary education is an integral component in the strategy to succeed in this competition economically and socially. It is a key investment for our future," Matt Robson said.

Progressive supports zero fees and full student allowances. As a step in that direction, we will pay the student loan debt repayments for graduates who stay in New Zealand.

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