New Inflation Figures Confirm Fee, GST Worries
New figures released by Statistics New Zealand today confirm an increasingly bleak picture for students who could face a
triple whammy in this year’s Budget.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4 per cent in the March quarter however university fees gained 6.1 per cent. This
was one of the highest individual upward increases this quarter. The rise reflected higher course fees and new
compulsory levies introduced by some universities to cover the costs of providing existing institutional services to
students.
“These increases are the direct result of continued underfunding in the tertiary sector. Students are borrowing more as
institutions continue to buckle under the pressures of underfunding and pass on more of the costs,” says NZUSA
co-President Pene Delaney.
The figures come after indications from Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce that the government is considering
changes to allow tuition fees to increase to much higher levels. NZUSA echoes the sentiments expressed by the New
Zealand Medical Students’ Association and the New Zealand Medical Association on the impact higher fees will have on
graduate retention and workforce shortages.
“Increasing fees without any corresponding increase in government funding will mean students will again face costs
rising higher than inflation. In stark contrast, the Australian government has substantially boosted its investment into
both universities and student support in its last Budget,” says Delaney.
The proposed increases to GST will also mean many students will find it harder to make ends meet. Prime Minister John
Key was asked at Monday’s post-Cabinet press conference whether student allowances would get the same GST adjustment
compensation package as welfare benefits. Worryingly, he responded that he “hasn’t looked at that”. Coupled with Steven
Joyce’s statement on TVNZ’s Q+A programme that no changes to student allowances were planned, this paints a very bleak
picture for low income students.
“Students will find John Key’s casual attitude on this issue unacceptable. We call on the Government to publicly confirm
whether or not student allowances will be compensated for the rise in GST, or whether they will indeed be hit with the
triple whammy of already increasing CPI costs, higher tuition fees, and a rise in GST,” says NZUSA co-President David
Do.
ENDS