King Colin: Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No 2) — In Committee 
King Colin: Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No 2) — In Committee 
[Volume:638;Page:8232] 
COLIN KING (National—Kaikoura) 
: 
 It is nice to speak to Part 2 of the Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No 2). Yes following on from my highly valued colleague Dr Paul Hutchison I agree that this part is about the data match and how the mechanisms are consistent so as to be able to make this scheme work. I found it very interesting that such a low number had taken advantage of the provision to come clean and acknowledge their responsibilities. The Minister stood up and acknowledged that barely 800-odd people last year had done that. I will certainly be looking forward to a lot more of them doing that. Again speaking for those people who have not had the privilege of going to university and having to pay for everything I take quite seriously some of the ramifications that could arise. So when we look at what is proposed in Part 2 we see that it is quite concise and clear again. However there will have to be an education programme because I am sure that although we are aware of where we are at this stage and time in this Chamber a lot of people are still beavering about their business totally unaware of what we are trying to achieve here—that is the best of both worlds and a balance of what is fair and reasonable. So let us hope we do get some traction around people signing up. We can say that we are talking about thousands of people. I am sure that those people who are overseas enjoying that 3-year holiday will continue to do so as is the tradition. 
When looking at Part 2 we can see that it does impact on a number of other Acts of Parliament. There is of course the Customs and Excise Act of 1996. Well it had to be that Act because we need to have that data match and we have to have some structure so that there will be some comfort that the information being shared is fit for purpose that the situation is not being abused and that there is clear understanding that the information being handed over is appropriate. We can see that specified in new section 280H of the Customs and Excise Act inserted by clause 36. Effectively the information covers the name the date of birth the tax file number and the time and date on which the borrower arrives in or as the case may be departs from New Zealand. There has to be a written agreement that that information has been requested. 
However there is a lot more to the part than just that. There are also some levels of delegated authority and information as to where that delegated authority is required—because the old commissioner would be run off his legs would he not with the thousands of people who are going to register and come clean with the money they owe? The commissioner is able to delegate that authority although the record must be kept and the person who accesses that information must use a register. The register will carry the name of the person the reason for accessing the database and the identity of the persons who access the database and their reasons why. 
I must admit that generally speaking I am very satisfied with the process. I must say to the Committee that it was a pleasure to deal with the Inland Revenue Department because it saw clear lines of accountability. It was not mixed up with some of that fuzzy thinking that comes out of “those people should get this” or “should get that”. It seemed to relate quite well to an old shearer who got paid only for what he did. If he owed some money he paid his bills. 
 I turn back to the consideration of the Chairperson and his thought about the best way forward for this bill. I would like to draw to the attention of members on the Government side of the Chamber that other steps have been taken to wipe off the penalties on childcare payments. It concerns me hugely that we could be taking another step towards that ultimate outcome and I would be very very disappointed if in actual fact we got to the stage of offering to young people the grandest of opportunities of going to the most highly esteemed learning institutions in our country and we have to wipe off those student loans.