New Zealand First made some thoughtful comments on the new student loan law powers:
"New Zealand First is of the view that such measure are draconian and are entirely disproportionate to the nature of the offence. The measures in this bill must be viewed in context. Finance company directors virtually stole billions of dollars in recent years and ruined the lives of many, yet in many cases avoided prosecution or serious penalty. The student loan scheme has already had many unintended adverse consequences; this bill will create more.
We urge the Government to reconsider the excessive measures proposed in this bill. New Zealand First believes that other measures must be explored to create real incentives for repayment. The real solution to the student debt issues is ensuring that there are decent paying jobs for students to go to after they graduate so that they can repay their loans without having to go to Australia or elsewhere.
In New Zealand First’s view making a group of young New Zealanders outcasts from their own country is not the solution to the problem of outstanding student debt."
"New Zealand First is of the view that such measure are draconian and are entirely disproportionate to the nature of the offence. The measures in this bill must be viewed in context. Finance company directors virtually stole billions of dollars in recent years and ruined the lives of many, yet in many cases avoided prosecution or serious penalty. The student loan scheme has already had many unintended adverse consequences; this bill will create more.
We urge the Government to reconsider the excessive measures proposed in this bill. New Zealand First believes that other measures must be explored to create real incentives for repayment. The real solution to the student debt issues is ensuring that there are decent paying jobs for students to go to after they graduate so that they can repay their loans without having to go to Australia or elsewhere.
In New Zealand First’s view making a group of young New Zealanders outcasts from their own country is not the solution to the problem of outstanding student debt."