MR Bradford refused to speak with Students at Otago University yesterday not because of security concerns but because he recognises that his policies do nothing to address the real poverty within tertiary education at present.

Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) President and President-Elect, Steve Day and Andrew Campbell, visited the Minister’s office and the office of the Prime Minister in Wellington on Friday last week and personally guaranteed the safety of any senior cabinet ministers who chose to visit campus.

“Indeed we were insistent that if the Minister ever did visit our campus there would be heavy security not just for his protection but for ours as well” Stated OUSA President Steve Day. “We have hosted other cabinet ministers and the leader of every other major part on our campus this year and all have been safe and successful forums.’

Steve Day and Andrew Campbell also used their visit to highlight the fact that it has been more than a decade since the last time a Minister of Education or Prime Minister came to Otago University to talk publicly with students.

“Their lack of conviction in their own ability to defend they policies in front of people whom they claim to represent is the real reason Tertiary Education Ministers such as Max Bradford and Maurice Williamson continue to absent themselves from policy discussions on campus. They know they will lose.” Stated OUSA President, Steve Day.

”Even before Mr Bradford got the willies about a few study weary students he was still only brave enough to visit at 9 a.m. on the day before exams started. I challenge National to explain their indefensible tertiary policies to students on this campus before they return home from exams.

Any time before November 11th. If Mr Bradford cannot do that as Minister of Tertiary Education I guess his other options are to continue to spent the rest of the campaign in Rotorua, free from the threat of questioning students, or he could head of as the Minister of Defense to the far safer land of East Timor.”

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