7. GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) Link to this
to the Minister for Tertiary Education
How will his policy of restricting access to student loans for thousands of people and allowing tertiary institutions to shut out thousands of students from enrolling support New Zealanders of all educational and social backgrounds to achieve their potential?
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Tertiary Education) Link to this
The Government is restricting access to student loans in two main ways. It will require students who have a place to pass 50 percent or more of their courses over 2 years—which seems entirely reasonable to me—and it will require permanent residents and Australians to show a commitment to New Zealand before being able to access student loans, which brings student loan access into line with similar criteria for student allowances and other welfare payments. These changes will ensure that students are focused on achieving results in their tertiary study and ensure the maximum number of places available to New Zealand students.
Why did he disagree with the Department of Labour’s advice to him on his student support cuts that “limiting access to student loans in a recession is a regressive measure which will only increase pressure on the labour market and unemployment”?
If the member opposite is suggesting that we should just hide people in tertiary education even if they are not achieving in tertiary education, then it is fine for him to make that suggestion. But my view is that it is important that we do not have a double-jeopardy scheme in student loans where people stay in education, do not pass their courses, build up a student loan, and then do not obtain the jobs they would need to do to pay off their student loan once they leave university or tertiary education.
Kelvin DavisDoes he agree with Te Puni Kōkiri that the axing of student loans to 3,500 Māori students is at odds with the tertiary education strategy’s aim of “increasing the number of Māori students enjoying success at higher levels”; if so, why is he continuing to push the policy, especially at a time when the unemployment rate among young Māori is running at 40 percent?
We are seeking to encourage students to progress their tertiary education by passing at least half of their courses over 2 years, and that applies to every student. We are also doing performance-linked funding to encourage institutions to provide pastoral care to their students. I am confident that those two measures together will improve education outcomes for all students, including young Māori and Pasifika.
Did the Minister consult the Minister of Māori Affairs on the impact his student loan restrictions would have on Māori; if so, what response did the Minister give?
I had discussions with the Minister of Māori Affairs, and he quite rightly said at the time, I believe, from memory, that obviously he is concerned about the performance of Māori students over time. I gave him my undertaking that I will be continually working to improve that performance.
Will he now step in to provide more places in tertiary education so that the thousands of students who have been shut out as a result of his policies will not languish on the unemployment benefit?
We have, in fact, I say for the member’s benefit, stepped in and provided more student places at universities and polytechnics. In fact, there are 5,600 more core places at universities in 2011 than in 2008, and there are 6,500 more full-time places in polytechnics in 2011 than in 2008. That increase, along with the changes we are making in terms of the entry requirements for permanent residents and Australians, gives me confidence that the demand pressures will ease over the next 2 years.
I seek leave of the House to table a paper provided to the Cabinet social policy committee by the Minister for Tertiary Education, which includes comment from the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Social Development, and Te Puni Kōkiri opposing his changes.
Mr SPEAKER