Thursday 20th June 2002

Alliance The Only Choice Left For Tertiary Education

"The Alliance tertiary policy, released today, shows that the Alliance is the only party seriously committed to challenging the harshest elements of user pays in education," said Julie Fairey, National Spokesperson for Staunch Alliance, Candidate for Epsom, and number 16 on the Party List.

Staunch is particularly pleased with aspects of the policy that aim to address the inequities that have been built up by the creeping privatisation of tertiary education since the 1980s. "The massive mountain of debt, now over $5Billion, created by an unfair system, must be dealt with. Only the Alliance is seriously doing that and ensuring no more debt is needed, by reinstating no tertiary fees for public institutions and the universal student allowance," said Fairey.

Highlights of the policy include:

a.. Introducing a universal student allowance paid at the level of the unemployment benefit, and an unemployment benefit for students who can't find work over summer so that students don't have to borrow to live

b.. Reducing tuition fees substantially each year, to a grand total of zero in three years time

c.. Increasing funding for quality public education and ending the spending of public money on questionable institutions run for private profit

d.. Lightening the current debt burden by immediately removing all interest payments

e.. Including student and staff representation on the Tertiary Education Commission to ensure their input to decision-making

"The best way to save for New Zealand's future is to invest in it's youth. The Alliance is committed to doing that, by putting social investment, such as tertiary education, first, second and third" said Fairey.

Staunch is the youth and student wing of the Alliance party, and many staunchies are putting their money where their mouths are this election by standing as both electorate and list candidates for the Alliance. Find out more about Staunch at www.staunch.org.nz

Contact - National Spokesperson

Julie Fairey

Candidate for Epsom

Number 16 on the Alliance Party List

Ph 09 534 0699

Or 021 172 3467

Email julie@staunch.org.nz

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