Gordon Copeland Press Release
For Immediate Release
Monday, 13th October 2008
Government comes clean on student allowances at last – The Kiwi Party
MP Gordon Copeland of the Kiwi Party today expressed his delight that the Government has at last come clean with its
pledge today in relation to universal student allowances.
“It is a great move and my only regret is that full universality for students is still four years away,” said Mr
Copeland.
“It is also good that the Government has at last come clean on their policy. I guessed correctly that Government would
make this move during the election campaign, just as they did with the removal of interest on student loans during the
2005 election campaign.”
“With that in mind, on 6 August I bluntly asked Pete Hodgson, the Minister for Tertiary Education, whether he would rule
out an announcement between then and the election concerning the introduction of universal student allowances or a
timetable for their introduction. In typical fashion, the Minister fudged the answer, but it is clear now that the
decision was made at that time but then set aside for today’s announcement as part of Labour’s efforts to retain the
Treasury benches.”
“In any event, it is certainly great news for university students.”
ENDS