Charlotte Walker (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I note that this is not my first speech. My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Walsh. The Albanese Labor government is delivering on its commitment to cut student debt by 20 per cent. Can the minister please provide an update on the delivery of this election commitment? What will the proposed changes mean for students and young Australians right across the country, and why has the government taken this approach?

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

Thank you so much, Senator Walker, for the question. I know that you, Senator Walker, believe that higher education should open doors, not leave young people weighed down by unfair debt. In our last term, the Albanese Labor government made HECS indexation fairer. That change wiped $3 billion in debt for three million Australians. That was a huge change, but now we're going further. We have introduced legislation that will deliver the biggest student debt relief Australia has ever seen: a 20 per cent cut to student debt, $16 billion in total. It will provide relief for around three million Australians. If you've got an average HECS debt of $27,000 a year, you'll see $5½ thousand wiped away. This isn't just for uni students. It includes HELP, TAFE and VET loans too, because, no matter where or what you study, you deserve a fair start in life. We promised this in the lead-up to the election, last week we introduced the legislation and this week we have the chance to pass it into law.

While Labor is delivering, the coalition is at war with itself. This morning Senator Henderson was out there again, freelancing in the media about amendments to the HECS legislation. You would expect the Leader of the Opposition to be steering the coalition's position, but who is steering the coalition's position? Instead we have Senator Henderson, the self-appointed shadow shadow minister, casting a long shadow from up there and rewriting the coalition's policies from the backbench. While you undermine each other, we'll back students with real debt relief.

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

Senator Walker, first supplementary?

Charlotte Walker (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As well as cutting $16 billion from student debt, the Albanese Labor government is proposing changes to when people start repaying their HECS debt. The Australian people spoke pretty clearly at the election about the policies we took to the election. What impact will these changes have on Australian students now and into the future?

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

Thank you, Senator Walker. I agree with you that the Australian people spoke clearly at the last election. It isn't just me who agrees with you; Senator Duniam agrees, too. He said the Australian people 'spoke pretty clearly at the last election'. He also said:

We're not really in the business of standing in the way of cost-of-living relief.

Our legislation isn't just about reducing debt; it's about making the system fairer for the next generation. We are a united team delivering what we promised.

Then we have the opposition. The opposition leader told Australians they were on board with HECS reform, but this morning we had Senator Henderson out there again, freelancing—how deeply concerning, Senator Henderson! The opposition have more positions on HECS than they do on net zero, and zero focus on helping Australians get ahead.

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

Senator Walker, second supplementary?

Charlotte Walker (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As promised, the Albanese Labor government is delivering on its commitment to cut student debt by 20 per cent and make minimum thresholds fairer. We are working as a strong, united team to get this done and make a real difference for students and young people. How important is bipartisanship to achieve change for students?

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

We are indeed fortunate to be a strong and united team focused on what matters. We are cutting debt, lifting repayment thresholds and making the system fairer. But what do students see on the other side of the chamber? Nothing but disunity and division, with Senator Henderson and the opposition leader at war with each other—an embarrassing rabble on the other side. Senator Henderson is out there running her own policy process, wanting to add amendments from outside the shadow portfolio. Were her amendments approved by her 'shadow shadow cabinet'? Then we have the Leader of the Opposition, who said earlier today, 'We agree to not oppose the bill as it makes its way—

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

On direct relevance: can I ask the minister to let the chamber know what impact this is going to have on Australians who are starting university from now.

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

Senator Henderson, you don't have a question—

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

They're going to be denied—

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

Senator Henderson, resume your seat. Minister Walsh, please continue.

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

Thank you very much, Senator Henderson; we look forward to your 'shadow shadow amendments' later on. Then we have the Leader of the Opposition, who said earlier today, 'We agree to not oppose the bill as it makes its way through the parliament.' (Time expired)