Claims of ‘Left-tilted proposal’

The Opposition claims a proposal for a national body for student democracy would become a taxpayer-funded training ground for future Labour MPs.

But Education Minister Chris Hipkins says the party is being ‘‘paranoid’’ about something which hasn’t even been selected as a final option.

The proposal for a National Centre for Student Voice was one of several options to enhance student democracy in tertiary institutions, released by the Ministry of Education this year.

The body would support student associations with advice and funding to be more consistent and professional across the sector, ending a supposed quality difference between universities and polytechs.

It came after Hipkins confirmed he would not be overturning the last Government’s 2011 decision to end compulsory student membership of student associations.

National’s associate tertiary education spokesman, Simeon Brown, said the minister should shoot down the proposal as it would just act as ‘‘taxpayer-funded training ground for Labour Party activists’’.

‘‘The majority of student association representatives are generally on the Left. Not always – some sensible people get elected.’’

‘‘But why should the taxpayer fund their advocacy?’’

Hipkins said the National Party was being paranoid about student associations.

‘‘Our approach doesn’t buy into National’s paranoia about student associations and allows for a more bipartisan, sustainable approach.’’