House debates Questions without Notice
Higher Education Contribution Scheme
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
2:07 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to his comments this morning in which he claimed that the government has ruled out collecting student debt after death. Does the Prime Minister stand by his Treasurer, who just this morning said that student loans should be collected after death and that they 'should not be treated any differently to any other loan'?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:08 pm
I do not assume for a second that the shadow Treasurer has accurately characterised the comments of the Treasurer, but let me answer the question.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I think that is a document already on the public record.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
No, Madam Speaker, I'm not seeking to table it. There has been a question about the authentication of the question that was asked.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
I am happy to pass this via the attendants to the Prime Minister. We know what the Treasurer said.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I am sorry—this is not a debate. No. There is no point of order. The member will resume his seat. This is not a debating period; it is a question and an answer period.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The government has no plans whatsoever to collect student debts from dead people. What we do certainly intend to do is to make stronger efforts to collect student debts from living people, because that is what the taxpayers of this country have a right to expect.