8 July 2002
Labour and National Both Half Right on Tertiary Policy
The Aotearoa Tertiary Students' Association (ATSA) said today that both National and Labour have their tertiary policies
half right, but that Labour's is too little and National's too late.
"The tragedy for students and their families is that both parties have chosen to focus on only one side of the student
debt problem," said ATSA National President Julie Pettett. "National has come out with a clear statement on reducing
graduate debt, but offers nothing to relieve the other driver of student debt, living costs for current students."
"On the other hand, Labour has chosen to focus on Student Allowances, but offers nothing which will defuse the current
$5 billion debt bomb. ATSA's analysis of current policies reveals that the only parties which offer a comprehensive
approach to attacking both sides of the Student Debt Bomb are the Alliance and the Greens."
"ATSA is pleased that National appears to be finally addressing part of the problem of the Student Debt bomb they helped
create over a decade ago. But we are unimpressed with their stance on Student Allowances - they continue to offer very
little to solve the real hardship generated by inadequate financial support for needy students," Pettett stated. "In
terms of student support, the Labour Party seems to offer more. They have given an indication that access to allowances
will improve, but have been vague about what it will actually mean to students."
ATSA appreciates that there are aspects of National's tertiary policy which could have real benefits for students and
their families. The irony is that National's poll ratings mean they would be unlikely to deliver relief any time soon.
"ATSA invites Labour to give students and their families a real reason to vote for them in the upcoming election,"
Pettett concluded. "A combination of National's graduate rebate offer and an increase in Student Allowances would be an
attractive package for Labour to offer students and their families at this month's general election."
ENDS
For further comment, contact: Julie Pettett ATSA National President Cell phone 029 939 1417 (04) 9391417
The Aotearoa Tertiary Students' Association - Representing University, Polytechnic and Wananga students