20% cut to students' HECS debts passes

Independent federal MP for Indi, Helen Haines, has covered a gamut of key service areas in the first two weeks of the new federal parliament. With international affairs a heavy presence in the parliament, so too were domestic issues with Dr Haines making key advocacy statements for Indi. The federal government passed legislation on its election commitment to reduce student HECS debt by 20 per cent, which Dr Haines supported for the almost 14,000 people in Indi that have an average HECS debt of $21,000. Dr Haines support was not without criticism, though, citing the timing of indexation as a problem for students. “The current indexation arrangements are unfairly adding thousands of dollars to Australian debts and should be fixed,” she said, calling on the government to extend payments for practical placements for students, following her successful amendment in the last parliament to have the system reviewed within three years. “I hear from so many people having to choose between study or work – some putting their degrees on hold because unpaid placements are simply not possible when they have mortgages, rents and bills to pay.” Dr Haines raised issues with changes to the NDIS Pricing Review after meeting with local service providers last month. Under new rules, the amount providers can claim for travel is halved and risks the viability of future service delivery. “Last month I met with more than a dozen of Indi’s physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, speech pathologists and support coordinators to hear their concerns," she said. “I have urged the government to pause these pricing changes and consult with providers in order to protect these NDIS services in the regions.” Other legislation passing the parliament included two bills to legislate technical changes required for aged care reforms that will come into effect from 1 November. Dr Haines reinforced concern that the delay of 83,000 new Home Care Packages was leaving nearly 90,000 people waiting for care, speaking on the bill and raising the issue in Question Time last Thursday. “The government’s delay to the new aged care system leaves nearly 90,000 people waiting for a home care package,” she said. “Despite this, the government ignored the crossbench call to fund 20,000 packages to bridge the gap to the new system and cannot articulate what they are doing to support these people in the meantime.” Parliament resumes on 25 August.

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