Debt in the spotlight

BURDENED: Green Party supporter Elizabeth Beck representing Kiwi students burdened by $7 billion of debt at the Green Party gathering at Hyde Park on Saturday.BURDENED: Green Party supporter Elizabeth Beck representing Kiwi students burdened by $7 billion of debt at the Green Party gathering at Hyde Park on Saturday.

16 Aug 2005

The weather really seems to be conspiring against Green Party candidates Laura Beck and Jacob Rawls. The two are on the Green Party’s list but are based in London and their first get-together was postponed due to torrential rain. Its replacement, last Saturday, dawned brighter but by 2.30pm London was once again turning on its specialty – rain. Consequently only a few hardy souls turned up to the Reformer’s Tree in Hyde Park.

The largest item on the menu was student debt. With $7 billion on the cards now and the amount rising by $78,000 an hour, the Green Party is championing the topic with a proposed debt write-off scheme that would wipe a year’s worth of debt for every year of working in New Zealand.

Carly Moore, 25, is a perfect example of why the Greens say the system has to change. A three-year Bachelor of Arts at Otago University put Moore $25,000 in debt. After two years at home, she headed to London for the money and opportunities on offer and she’s not looking to go back at any time in the forseeable future. "I’m still running from my student loan," she said.

The Green Party is also campaigning for a universal student living allowance and the capping and reduction of tertiary fees.

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