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

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