Top two’s renege ‘cost us debate’

By Nick Mann

EDUCATION member Dave Grut blames his minister and deputy minister’s U-turn for losing the student loans debate. The department had gone to the States last week asking for more money to fund higher education, but during the debate both minister Martin Ozanne and deputy minister Wendy Morgan said they had changed their minds.

There are calls for both to resign.

Deputy Grut said that previously both had made it clear to the public, students and parents that their aim was to get more money.

‘I believed that’s what we were going to the States to ask for, to bring that view for the States to make that decision,’ said Deputy Grut.

‘I feel let down by the minister and deputy minister. They clearly stated that they would bring this to the chamber and vote for it.’

Another Education member, Hunter Adam, told a board meeting the day before the debate that he would abstain because he did not think increasing the grant was the right way forward.

‘But even up to the meeting, before the States debate, that was not stated by either the minister or deputy minister,’ said Deputy Grut.

‘After the debate I felt extremely let down. It’s true to say I was considering at that point what my position would be. I haven’t gone further than that. It was not something I was anticipating. I believe because of their action we lost that debate, which we could have won.’

The other board member to vote for increasing the grant, Dan Le Cheminant, has also said he would consider his position.

But he also believed there was more work to be done with the department.

At the moment both appear unlikely to resign.

‘I have to consider where that decision made by the minister and deputy minister leaves me on the Education board,’ added Deputy Grut.

Deputies Ozanne and Morgan also appear resolute in the face of calls for them to stand down.

Deputy Grut said it would not be beneficial to the board as a whole for the minister or his deputy to go so near the end of their term of office.

‘If a requete was to be brought, it would not now happen until January. If that was successful, we wouldn’t have other people in place prior to the election so it would be a pointless exercise,’ added Deputy Grut.

‘The reality is we need a department that would function, so I don’t think it’s a practical idea.’