08/07/2014
Time to Review Student Support
UnitedFuture Leader Hon Peter Dunne supports calls by the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations to lift the cap on
student accommodation benefit.
The accommodation benefit is an element of the student allowance and has been capped at a maximum of $40 per week since
2001.
“We are emerging now from the financial crisis and it’s time we reviewed the tertiary fees structure and student support
scheme, so that they remain sustainable.”
“We need to ensure there is an appropriate level of fairness and equity.”
“For those studying in our larger centres where rent is significantly higher the current arrangement is unfair” said Mr
Dunne.
Currently students receive the same accommodation support no matter where they are studying, “that needs to be
reconsidered.”
UnitedFuture will seek also to review the independence threshold for the student allowance. It is currently 24.
“We will commit to a review of the accommodation supplement and the wider tertiary student support scheme” said Mr
Dunne.
“Tertiary students are the next generation of our workforce and we need to make sure that we recognised that and support
students appropriately.”
Ends