Higher Education Support Amendment (Fix HECS) Bill 2026

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Monday 29 June 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned a private member's bill to amend the timing of HECS-HELP indexation to prevent graduates from being charged on repayments already made. Independent members Monique Ryan and Zali Steggall argued that the current system imposes an unfair financial burden by indexing debt before crediting withholdings. They contended that moving the indexation date to 1 November, rather than 1 June, would save graduates billions of dollars with minimal cost to the budget. Both speakers urged the government to adopt the reform to ensure fairness in the student loan system.

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