Media Release 13 March 2001

For immediate release

Legislation not the key to restoring the EUB

Alliance education spokesperson Liz Gordon says the Alliance stands by its pledge to have the Emergency Unemployment Benefit reinstated by this summer.

"This would not have happened if the Alliance had supported the bill promoted by the Green Party in Parliament last year. Given that the bill would have been vetoed by the Finance Minister, the whole thing may have turned out to be a wild green goose chase" said Dr Gordon.

Liz Gordon says legislating for change is unnecessary and could actually prevent the benefit's reinstatement for students this summer.

"If the issue of the emergency unemployment benefit had been held up in select committee, it would have been impossible for the Alliance to advocate for its restoration in the budget" Dr Gordon says.

"The upcoming budget offers the best chance to restore the emergency unemployment benefit in time for next summer."

"The Alliance is pleased that our parliamentary colleagues, the Greens, and especially Sue Bradford, are working to help us achieve this goal."

"The Alliance is actively supporting the campaign of the New Zealand University Students Association (NZUSA) to bring back the emergency unemployment benefit. "

"We believe that, with strong support for a return to a universal emergency unemployment benefit for students this summer, that goal can be achieved" said Dr Gordon.

ENDS

© Scoop Media