Opposition to back Labor’s student debt bill

Sussan Ley has confirmed the opposition will back the Albanese government’s signature student debt-slashing bill.

It comes after Education Minister Jason Clare told Labor colleagues he was hopeful the HECS reforms would pass parliament on Tuesday.

Fronting media, the Opposition Leader said she still had concerns over the Albanese government’s broader response to the cost-of-living crisis, but that “we will not oppose the government’s proposal”.

“And I want to say this to students today – remember this moment,” Ms Ley told reporters.

“Because Anthony Albanese says life will be easier under him, costs will come down, everything will get cheaper.

“Remember this moment because, when I have spoken to young people across the country, they have talked about escalating costs, in rent, electricity, any groceries, in everything a student needs to spend money on.

“It has been really tough.”

She said added that “underpinning this student debt relief bill has been a massive cost of living crisis for Australia’s students” and vowed to hold the government to account.

“But today, we agreed to not oppose the bill as it makes its way through the parliament,” Ms Ley said.

“We do care about students who are struggling with the cost of living and said we would be positive where we can be and critical where we need to be.”

Labor’s bill was central to its youth-focused re-election pitch.

It would cut student debts by 20 per cent for some 3 million graduates, or wipe off about $5500 from the average debt.

The changes would also raise the repayment threshold for student loans from $54,000 to $67,000.

Originally published as Opposition to back Labor’s student debt bill, Sussan Ley says

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