Thu Oct 7 1999

The Alliance says Acts hidden agenda is to cut $200 million from tertiary education which will mean a fee increase of at least $1,200.

'Act wants to cut tax for the richest people in the country and students will pay,' Alliance Education spokesperson Liz Gordon said.

'The Infometrics report heralded by Act recently shows they want to cut $200 million from tertiary subsidies over the next two years. This would mean a $1,200 fee increase to start the new millenium.

'For a business student this is a 22% funding cut.

'This fee increase would be on top of big fee hikes being proposed at present. It would be an average fee increase and would mean some courses would cost much more.

'This is only the start, Act want students to pay the full cost of their courses. For a science student this would be a fee of close to $10,000.

'This fee increase was no where in the Act policy released today, but it is a direct consequence of their tax policy. Act should come clean about the effect their policy will have on students.

'Acts further policy of selling student loans will mean only those with good credit ratings will get a student loan.

'Act's tertiary policy will privatise tertiary institutions and destroy any chance we have of creating a knowledge economy,' Liz Gordon said.

Cut per Effective Full Time Student (EFTS) is estimated to be $1200, based on 164,085 EFTS in 1999.

$200 million cut comes from Assessment of 1999 Political Party Tax Policies Infometrics and Employers Association September 1999 by David Grimmond page 44.

Visit http://www.alliance.org.nz for more information about the Alliance

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