A one-off HECS debt reduction for university students is all but set after the federal opposition confirmed it would back the proposal.
Laws to cut 20 per cent off the HECS bill for students passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday, which would slash $5500 from the average debt.
The proposal was a major Labor election commitment and the first legislation introduced to the new parliament.
Despite the coalition saying during the campaign it would not support the debt cut, new leader Sussan Ley said the opposition would not stand in the way.
“We do care about students who are struggling with the cost of living, and I…