Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Walsh. The Albanese Labor government went to the election promising to cut student debt by 20 per cent. We said it would be the first bill that we introduced this term. Can the minister explain why it is so important to reduce HECS debt for our young Australians? More broadly, how will Australians benefit from the government's higher education policy?

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

Thank you very much, Senator Grogan. Yes, I can. I know of your deep belief that education can change lives. In our last term, we made HECS indexation fairer, and, in so doing, we wiped $3 billion in student debt for the more than three million Australians with a HECS debt.

But that was just the beginning. Young people rightly told us that their debts were too large, and that's why we went to the election with a promise to cut student debt by 20 per cent. We said the first legislation we would introduce would make that happen. Last week, the first week of this new parliament, that is exactly what we did, and this week we have the chance to make it law. We understand what this cost-of-living relief means to people with student debts. It will wipe $16 billion from the HECS debts of Australians. For someone with the average HECS debt of around $27,000, it will mean about $5½ thousand wiped off their debt. And it won't just benefit uni students. This legislation covers all HELP loans, including loans to apprentices and to other VET students.

But, despite the referendum on student debt at the recent election, the newly elected coalition member for Forrest said only hours ago in the other place that this critical relief is 'grossly unfair'. I wonder if he'd say that to one of his 11,000 constituents who have a HECS debt. On this side of the chamber, we know that, whether you're studying at uni or at TAFE, you're developing the skills that keep Australia moving. That's what you get with the Albanese Labor government: a united team delivering on its promises. (Time expired)

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

Senator Grogan, first supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks to Senator Walsh for the great response. The Albanese Labor government is making changes to HECS, to wipe student debt—which is great to see—and changes to the thresholds of when young Australians start paying off their HECS debt. Could the minister please outline how these changes are delivering a fairer HECS system for current and future students?

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

Our legislation before the parliament also makes HECS repayments fairer. We are putting money back in the pockets of people who are just getting started in life. We are a united team, focused on delivering these reforms. If only the same could be said of those opposite! The opposition leader had indicated that they were ready to support reforms to HECS, but now it seems that Senator Henderson—hello, Senator Henderson—has appointed herself the shadow shadow minister for education. Senator Henderson couldn't get her policies up before the election, and now, barely into the second sitting week, Senator Henderson is doing the numbers from the back bench, and it seems that she is having some success. The member for Forrest also said this morning, 'I welcome Senator Henderson's proposal today to amend the bill.' So, while you tear yourselves apart, we will build a better Australia. (Time expired)

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

Senator Grogan, second supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is focused on delivering its commitment to reduce HECS debt and make the system fairer. How important is policy consistency and unity to delivering important reforms like HECS debt relief?

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

We are indeed fortunate, Senator Grogan, to be a big, united team—united on the things the Australian people sent us here to do, like delivering for students and young people with a clear plan to make HECS fairer. Contrast that with the opposition, who are, in week 2, an absolute rabble. The shadow minister and the self-appointed shadow shadow minister are leaking against each other in the press.

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

Minister Walsh, please resume your seat. Senator Henderson?

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order on direct relevance: could you please explain why future students are being denied the discount?

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

Senator Henderson, that is not a point of order. Senator Walsh, please continue.

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

Thank you, shadow shadow minister. But this morning Senator Hume said, 'You'd expect some jostling and readjustment so we get our policy position straight.' What that is code for, Senator Hume, is chaos. And it does raise some questions for the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. Does she agree with Senator Henderson, Senator Hume and the member for Forrest from her home state, or will she back Senator Duniam over Senator Henderson? (Time expired)

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

Senator Walsh, I remind you to make your comments to the chair.