Education (HECS-HELP fees)

University students in Fowler can breathe a small sigh of relief as the Bill to erase $3 billion in collective student debt has passed the House of Representatives. Should this Bill be approved by the Senate, changes will be made to how HECS is indexed to further assist students. The Universities Accord recommended that HECS-HELP loans indexation rate be capped to whichever is lower: the consumer price index or wage price index, instead of only the latter, which the Federal Government has included in the Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024.

Positively, this indexation will be backdated to 1 June 2023, prior to last year’s shock 7.1% spike. This comes as a welcome reprieve to those who were affected by the unfair hike in Arts degrees by the Morrison Government amidst a growing cost-of-living crisis.

I’ve pressured the government on countless occasions during my first term in Parliament, including directly asking the Prime Minister what the government’s plans are on this matter. While I’m glad action is finally happening, I will continue to ensure there are long-term benefits of this policy change.

 

Aged Care Reforms 

The aged care reforms introduced last month will require new entrants to make larger means-tested contributions for nursing home stays to support the long-term financial sustainability of the system. Moreover, a new Support at Home program, also means-tested, will enable more people to remain in the comfort and safety of their own home for longer.

I welcome the work the Government has done to address the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s recommendations on a legislative framework centred on the safety, health, wellbeing and needs of seniors. Such reform is crucial for our culturally and linguistically diverse communities, who find comfort in their traditions, being close to their family, and not an unfamiliar and potentially under-resourced facility.

I spoke about these issues during the last Parliamentary Sitting and intend to continue my conversations with, and visits to local nursing homes to ensure our diverse ageing population is well looked after.