IRD can recall student loans under new law

Inland Revenue will be able to recall student loans in full under new legislation. Photo / supplied

The Inland Revenue Department will be able to recall student loans in full under legislation passed by Parliament today.

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne said the vast majority of borrowers met their repayment requirements and had no reason to worry, but serious defaulters would be dealt with.

"This bill allows Inland Revenue to recall those loans in full, with outstanding interest and penalties," Mr Dunne said during the third reading debate on the Student Loan Scheme Bill.

"This is not a harsh move. It is about fair and appropriate, real world consequences of the same sort you would face if you continued to remain in serious default on your mortgage."

Mr Dunne said it was "the last option" for dealing with those who consistently reneged on their repayment responsibilities, and would only be used when all reasonable efforts had failed.

He said the first cases for recall would involve a number of borrowers who were in Australia.

The bill also makes it easier for borrowers to manage and repay their loans through on-line services and a simplified system of penalty rules.

"This will eliminate much of the administrative complexity and confusing paperwork that has made things more difficult for student loan borrowers than they needed to be," Mr Dunne said.

"Most borrowers whose income is from salary and wages will benefit from a further simplification which removes the current annual end-of-year assessments or 'square-ups'."

Labour supported the bill but complained about the $40 administration fee for the new, streamlined service.

MP Grant Robertson said Inland Revenue was going to save money from the new scheme, and the administration fee was a revenue-gathering exercise.

The Union of Student Associations (NZUSA) said the legislation was a mixed bag - administrative changes were welcome but the new fee was "an unnecessary tax" on students.

- NZPA