Katene Rahui: Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Katene Rahui: Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:670;Page:16856] 
RAHUI KATENE (Maori Party—Te Tai Tonga) 
: 
 Thank you Mr Chair for the opportunity to speak on the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill. The Maori Party has been greatly concerned about the intention of the bill. It basically ensures that no tertiary student is required to join a students association. But we believe that the underlying purpose of the bill is to erode students associations. It is well known that the current system allows students to opt out of membership. The bill proposes that students be required to opt in. 
The context of the bill is that students associations and their representatives including Maori student ropu and their representatives have often been strong advocates within tertiary institutions and the wider sector for high-quality academic standards adequate Government investment and the maintenance or reduction of course fees. Students associations and ropu have challenged user-pays education since its introduction in 1990 and instead argue that education is a public good and should be funded as such. 
Surely we are not about to suggest that we should be afraid of people having the opportunity to challenge that in a healthy democracy. The current legislative framework is both flexible and inclusive. It allows for both voluntary and universal membership of students associations. This framework also allows students to be the decision makers on whether their association is voluntary or compulsory through transparent democratic referenda. In short there is no widespread criticism of the status quo. 
In light of all these criticisms we have drafted a number of amendments to reinstate the rights relating to effective and meaningful representation to ensure that student voices are heard. I acknowledge Grant Robertson for his initiative in putting forward amendments that replicate the amendments that we are proposing. We are certainly happy to support the changes that he has put forward. 
My amendments are focused on three key areas. The amendment to clause 2 will provide sufficient transition time to minimise disruption to the tertiary sector and services on campus. If as we think is inevitable the National Government supports this ACT Party bill then the immediate consequence is that the sector and students will be at a significant disadvantage due to the short time window for transition and implementation. There is a very strong case to be made for increasing the lead-in time of the bill to minimise potential disruption. The amendment does not change the intent of the bill. 
The second amendment establishes a new section requiring information to be provided by the institution to both prospective and enrolled students about any students association at that institution for the purposes of informing those students of the services provided and of how to be a member. 
We seek to create a new section 229CC “Representation”. The bill as currently drafted places most of the control of student representation and advocacy in the hands of the tertiary education organisation. Students the primary funders of student services will be increasingly forced to shift funding from students associations to tertiary education organisations through student services levies. Students should have the right to effective and meaningful representation to ensure their voices are heard. 
Finally I thank the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations Te Ropu Akonga o nga Whare Wananga o Aotearoa for its persistent support and encouragement to do what is right for students. We share with it concerns about the negative impact that this bill will have on students tertiary institutions and the wider sector as services and facilities come under threat and important advocacy and representation on student issues are put at risk. We hope that these amendments will receive the support of the Committee that they will improve the bill that they will protect student choice and that they may better ensure that services can continue. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: Before I call the next member I remind members that clause 2 is the commencement clause. Debate should be confined to issues related to the commencement date.