The federal government has rising university student fees in its sights for the next stage of its university debt overhaul, with a government source saying a one-off 20 per cent cut to debts is an interim measure.
Labor has made an election promise to wipe an average of $5,500 from existing student HECS debts and reduce the minimum amounts graduates must repay, as well as raise the income threshold at which mandatory repayments begin.
On Monday Health Minister Mark Butler hinted there were more changes to come before the year’s end.
“As Jason Clare has said, he’s got a very substantial report in front of him, the Universities Accord Report that makes a series of recommendations about structural change to university fees,” Mr Butler said.
