The answer to ballooning student debt is not taxpayer-funded education, and NZUSA research released today is a last ditch attempt to justify their legitimacy, according to ACTivists President, Gavin Middleton.

"NZUSA has finally been stirred into action and is confronting the Government policies which have seen student debt levels balloon over the last three years" Mr Middleton said.

"While student debt has gone through the roof, NZUSA has been cosying up to the Government. I know that many students are infuriated by the lack of concern shown by student associations - organisations which students are often compelled to join but which have largely swept the student debt issue under the carpet until election year."

"It’s no co-incidence that this research is unveiled in the week of NZUSA’s conference, after six months of stagnation. This is a last ditch attempt to justify the legitimacy of the national association, which has been struggling to maintain the minimum number of members required to remain an Incorporated Society."

"The continuing campaign by ACTivists to hold students associations to account is obviously paying off, and we look forward to the day Andrew Campbell proposes innovative new solutions to the student debt problem. However, banging the same tired old drum of a taxpayer-funded education in return for a lifetime of oppressive tax is not a solution" Mr Middleton said.

Mr Middleton said that students would be much better served by a system where taxes were lowered so that students could pay off their loans faster.

ENDS

For more information, contact:
Gavin Middleton
(+64) (021) 505495
president@activists.org.nz
http://www.activists.org.nz

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