Your views, September 15

Labour has campaigned the whole way through on credibility. Whichever set of calculations are correct is a side issue. Labour had no intention of releasing these figures to the public to make up their own minds. Nor, it seems, are we likely to hear anyone apologise for this? Don Brash has learned to use the word "sorry" - an admirable trait in a leader.
- Grant

* * *

No [the Treasury papers will not damage Labour's chances] - the student loans system in New Zealand is dreadful. Statistics released yesterday have New Zealand at the very bottom of the developed countries in the affordability of student loans. Furthermore, recent history in new Zealand has demonstrated that what the economists want for New Zealand is without doubt extremely harmful for our society - all the R-economics: something radical had to happen to maintain our professional workforce. Do not forget the banks have a huge vested interest in seeing the status quo is maintained for student loans as they make an indecent profit on the back of this borrowing. Note: loans are paid directly to providers and the monthly allowance to students is modest. No more economic theory driving New Zealand society - PLEASE.
- Jean

* * *

I believe that Helen Clark and Michael Cullen are the most cynical, duplicitous, self seeking, quasi-communists that have ever been foisted upon the country. After David Lange/Geoffrey Palmer, the social damage wrought by this pair is the most damaging ever inflicted by the NZ Labour Party on the country. I have had 6 years to visualize Helen Clark's concession speech this coming election. I hope to witness it this coming Saturday through a euphorically drunken haze, if I'm not that lucky then Monday I shall be on Seek looking for opportunities for self and family in Oz.
- Mike

* * *

Will it hurt Labour's chances now the real numbers are out? I sure as hell hope so. If students are intelligent enough to be at University, then I am sure they are clever enough to work out free money is to be taken advantage of - who wouldn't? While not 100 per cent will, it is surely reasonable to assume 90 per cent + will, not the fudged 70 per cent in the Labour calculations. I absolutely support dealing to the student loan issue, but so far most efforts have been an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, rather than addressing the cause.
- Trevor Boone

* * *

The Treasury Papers have not damaged my intention to vote for Labour.
- Janina

* * *

What a surprise Labour's buying of the student vote will cost more because, wait for it, surprise surprise - students will borrow more and then take longer to pay it back. Basic economics. It will be interesting to see Helen Clark and Michael Cullen explain this one. If you want higher education, then you should be prepared to pay for it. I still have 11 years to go on my student loan, and while it seems like a drag, the education that loan provided for has allowed me to get very good jobs.
- Craig Wilson

* * *

Well we finally have some truth in this election with the release of the Treasury papers. Labour caught in their own lies. No longer can they say the student loan bribe will cost only $300 million. So really it comes down to who do you believe, National with their tax cuts and their version, or Labour who have been telling their own version of student loan costings.
- Neil

* * *