Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Wednesday 23 July 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The Minister for Education introduced the bill to reduce student debt for three million Australians by 20 per cent, amounting to over $16 billion in total debt reduction. The legislation also implements a new marginal repayment system, raising the repayment threshold to $67,000 and reducing annual repayments for low and middle-income earners. The Minister argued these changes address cost-of-living pressures and improve intergenerational equity, fulfilling an election promise. The debate was adjourned after the Minister's speech, with no other members speaking.

Outcome

The debate was adjourned.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Jason Clare (Blaxland) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Clare supported the bill as the first legislative action of the new parliament, fulfilling a campaign promise to cut student debt by 20 per cent for three million Australians. Clare stated the average HELP debt of approximately $27,600 would be reduced by about $5,500, with the total debt reduction exceeding $16 billion. Clare explained that the bill introduces a marginal repayment system, raising the minimum repayment threshold from roughly $54,000 to $67,000. Clare argued this structural reform makes the system fairer by ensuring repayments are based only on income above the threshold, citing support from Professor Bruce Chapman. Clare claimed the changes provide immediate cost-of-living relief and benefit young Australians entering the workforce.