Tuesday, 13 December 2005
Turner: students need a better deal
United Future education spokesperson Judy Turner says New Zealand is doing itself no good by driving more and more
students into debt.
The New Zealand University Students Association pointed out yesterday that only 54,621 students had received a student
allowance for the July - September period this year, 4,031 less than the same time for last year and 7,077 less than
this time in 2003.
"Clearly fewer and fewer students are becoming eligible for a living allowance, and are being forced to borrow just to
live.
"It's also wrong that in almost every situation, students are adult at 18, but they have to be 25 to claim a student
allowance," said Mrs Turner.
"In the confidence and supply agreement United Future has negotiated with the Labour government is a commitment to
further improve access to student allowances and I am determined to drive that promise in this term of Parliament," she
said.
ENDS