Jess Teesdale (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

You've heard from us a few times why Labor believes reducing student debt is important, but today I want to step back and I want to let the voices of the people in Bass tell you what it really means to them, because nobody explains this better than those who are living it.

In our community, more than 10,000 people will benefit from this change—not just uni graduates but those who have studied through VET courses and TAFE too. Some of these people have been generous enough to share their thoughts with me, and I want to thank them for allowing me to share their words with you here. Maddison, a doctor, has put it simply:

It's wild to end up with such a huge debt when I'm dedicating my career to help others.

I have to pay a $1,000 registration fee each year on top of my HECS—

her repayments—

I won't own a house any time soon, so a 20% reduction would be grand.

I look forward to telling Maddison about our five per cent home deposit scheme. Tiffany-Rose has spoken to me about the emotional weight:

It won't wipe my balance completely, but it motivates me to keep working towards paying it off.

The reduced repayments will ease some financial stress and make it easier to stay on top of cost of living costs without feeling like my debt is controlling my budget.

Montana told me that this relief is real:

A 20% reduction isn't just a number, it's a real acknowledgement of the financial challenges that university students and graduates face every day. It shows that the government truly cares about education and is taking meaningful action to make it more sustainable for the future.

Many students work incredibly hard to balance university studies and part-time jobs, often under too much pressure.

Between bills, rent and loan repayments it can be overwhelming, and this reduction recognises just how tough that balance can be for many people.

Lucy reflected on the long-term burden:

This incentive shows the great burden student debts can be—not only immediately but also the long term effects.

When you're spending years paying off student debt, it can delay the ability to buy a home and other life decisions.

Laura, an incredible teacher that I had the privilege of working with previously, said:

This reduction gives me more breathing room to cover my mortgage and costs.

It's hard to make ends meet during study, let alone after.

This reduction will help with cash flow and stability.

And that's what this change is really about; it's about giving people that breathing space and some hope, and it's also recognising the pressures that they're carrying every day. We know it won't fix everything. Deirdre told me:

Raising the repayment threshold means more to me on a practical level than actually wiping the 20 per cent off.

That's money that I have to then go towards essentials and bills.

I guess it's just one less thing that is constantly squeezing in at me.

Elias put it very bluntly:

It makes me want to look at the debt with something other than dread.

This is just one of our steps, and it's certainly not the last. We're backing it up with real, practical support like the Commonwealth Prac Payment, so future teachers, nurses, social workers and midwives can finally get paid while on placement. We've also expanded the FEE-FREE Uni Ready courses, opening the door to people who never would have thought that university was for them. We're doubling the number of university study hubs, bringing higher education closer to home, especially in the regions.

This isn't just about helping people pay off debt; it's about helping more people start study, finish it and thrive beyond that. Most importantly, it's about listening, because the people who know what's needed are the ones who are living it. As Michael from Bass said:

It makes me feel like I'm one step closer to avoiding a lifetime of debt.

We will keep taking steps—practical, meaningful steps—guided by those who will be impacted by the decisions that we make here.

See this speech in context