A wave of nationwide campus protests and occupations continues today as Auckland University students protest against
user-pays education. "Students are protesting in disgust at the Labour-led Government's unwillingness to seriously
address the high fees, massive debt burden and lack of support facing us," said Megan Hall, spokesperson for Fightback!
the group organising the protest.
"We are concerned that fees constitute a clear barrier to education and that tertiary study is no longer an option for
many people," said Hall. "We are acting in solidarity with students around the country, especially those Victoria
University students who have occupied their University's main administration building."
"We support the focus of this wave of protests on University management. These management big-wigs are failing to put
pressure on the Labour-Led Government to adequately fund tertiary education. Instead they choose to pass funding cuts on
to students and make staff cuts so they can fund their own exorbitant salaries," said Hall.
Students will rally in the University of Auckland Quad (Princes St) at 12:30pm. Speakers will include Alliance MP and
Minister of Youth Affairs Laila Harré.
"Students are doing what they have to in the fight for what is their right - free education. We have had to put up with
these right wing policies for too long. This government has promised to do something about the situation of students in
this country, but so far they have failed to do anything for the majority of people affected by the Loans scheme and
user-pays education. Labour and the Alliance have yet to make any move on improving access to high quality tertiary
education, despite their election promises," said Hall.
The demands of Fightback, in conjunction with other student groups across the country, are:
Free education for all Universal student allowances Reinstatement of the Emergency Unemployment Benefit Democratic
control of universities including student representation at managerial level Dumping of student debt An end to
privatisation, managerialism and competition in education Adequate government funding to tertiary providers Adequate
research funding not controlled by corporate interests Removal of all non-financial barriers to education No cops on
campus No more staff cuts
ends