2024-11-17
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Greens and Higher Education spokesperson, will move the following amendments to the Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024, scheduled to be debated on Monday, November 18, challenging Labor to legislate their student debt pledges immediately, and not wait until after the next federal election.
- Wiping 20% of student debt
- Raising the minimum repayment income to $67,000
- Changing to a marginal repayment rate
Lines attributable to Senator Mehreen Faruqi:
“After years of pressure from the Greens and the community, Labor has been forced to promise some student debt relief measures. But pledges are not enough, spiralling student debt must be tackled immediately.
“My amendments will be a chance for Labor to show they actually care about those struggling under the weight of student debt right now. There is absolutely no reason to wait to legislate these changes until after the next election.
“It’s frankly irresponsible and cruel to be dangling student debt relief to win votes for an election when Labor is in government and we have the opportunity and the numbers to do this now.
“People are sick and tired of being treated as pawns in a political game. Let’s start by getting some student debt relief passed immediately, then we’ll work to make the changes we need - wipe all student debt and make TAFE and uni free.
“We can pay for these much needed changes by making big corporations and coal and gas giants pay their fair share of tax.”