Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, President, and congratulations on your re-election. My question is to the Minister for Early Childhood Education, representing the Minister for Education, Senator Walsh. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering on our commitment to a better and fairer education system at all levels and for every Australian? In particular, how is the government acting to make HECS fairer for students and young people?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank my friend Senator Smith for her question, my first question. We promised Australians that the first legislation that a re-elected Albanese Labor government introduced would be to wipe 20 per cent off the HECS debt of every Australian. Today, in this first week of this new parliament, we have introduced legislation to deliver exactly that because our No. 1 focus is continuing to deliver cost-of-living relief for the Australian people. This legislation will wipe $16 billion from the HECS debts of Australians. For someone with the average HECS debt of around $27,000, it will mean that about $5½ thousand will be wiped off their debt. It won't just benefit uni students. This legislation covers all HELP loans, including loans to apprentices and to other VET students too, because we know that, whether you're studying at uni or TAFE, you're developing the skills that keep Australia moving.

We know that even though inflation has eased in our first term, cost of living remains a concern for many Australians, particularly young people. That is why we are providing relief for those just starting their careers, by wiping their debt. We know how important it is to get a good education. Education has the power to change lives. It has the power to build our country, by giving people the skills they need to get good, well-paid jobs. That's why Labor will always back the aspirations of Australians who want to go to uni or to TAFE. That is why we are providing HECS relief as the first piece of legislation of this 48th Parliament.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Smith, first supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As part of our longstanding dedication to a better and fairer education system at all levels for every Australian, before the 2022 election Labor committed to work with state and territory governments to get every school to 100 per cent of its fair funding level. How will this commitment support young people across the country to get the education they need to thrive in work and in life?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you again, Senator Smith. I am thrilled to confirm that the Albanese Labor government is delivering on this promise to fairly fund all Australian schools and all Australian students. All states and territories have signed up to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, which delivers $16.5 billion in additional funding to our public schools. This represents the biggest ever new investment in public schools by the Australian government. This funding will give more than 2.6 million young people in Australia's public schools, and millions more in the years to come, the education they deserve and the opportunity to thrive. It pays for supports and reforms to help more kids keep up, catch up and finish school. This is a game changer for public education, and it's a life changer for children.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Smith, second supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is delivering on its commitments to ensure that young people get the benefits of their study before they start paying for it. How are the government's changes to HECS making it fairer for young people and allowing them to keep more of what they earn as they get started in their careers?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In addition to wiping $20 billion of student debt, the Albanese Labor government is making HECS repayments fairer. We know that people shouldn't have to start paying off their HECS debt until their study starts paying off for them. That is why we are raising the threshold where repayments kick in from just over $54,000 a year to $67,000 a year. So, for someone earning $70,000, it will reduce the minimum repayments they have to make by $1,300 a year. This is a big deal. It's a big deal for young people when every dollar really counts as they're setting themselves up for the future. So, for young Australians who are just out of uni, just getting started, this will take a weight off their back. No matter where you live or what your parents do, the Albanese Labor government is making sure the doors of opportunity are open for you.