14 September 2005
NZUSA's Labour-Green bias misrepresents thousands
Today's statement by the New Zealand University Students Association (NZUSA) urging people to vote Labour Greens
misrepresents the political views of thousands of students who support parties of the centre right, Student Choice said
today.
NZUSA claims to represent 180,000 New Zealanders, yet its latest declaration of support for Labour Greens on National
Radio today once again demonstrates that it is a left-leaning organisation willing to misrepresent the views of students
who support centre right parties.
Polls show significant support for centre right parties among student age groups, yet NZUSA continually endorses parties
of the left.
Student Choice spokesman Glenn Peoples said NZUSA's misrepresentation is created by compulsory membership of student
associations.
"If students were free to choose whether or not they joined a group you'd find they wouldn't join groups which promoted
views which they don't support," Mr Peoples said. He said voluntary membership is essential to ensure students receive
accurate and legitimate political representation.
Peoples said Labour and Green's ongoing support for compulsory membership highlighted both parties' hypocrisy on human
rights. "Labour and Greens present themselves as champions of civil rights but are willing to violate students' right to
freedom of association because of the political support both parties receive from groups like NZUSA," Peoples said.
ENDS