Dai Le (Fowler, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the member for Holt's motion on the Australian Universities Accord. I have spoken many times in this House about the importance of education to my family and many in my community of Fowler, and I want to share it here again. My beloved late mother, who passed away almost a year ago this week, told me while we were interned in refugee camps in Hong Kong why she chose to apply to be resettled in Australia and not the US. It was because she was told Australia has the best education system in the world. We had no idea where Australia was other than that it was this island surrounded by waters and far away from conflicts of the world, but we heard it had quality education.

For the thousands of refugees and migrants who have settled in Fowler over the decades, many see education as the key to successful integration into wider Australian society. Just yesterday at lunchtime Sunday, while I was shopping in my community, I saw groups of parents and children swarming around the many tutorial centres in the city. I thought to myself it was Sunday and yet here were the kids going to extra courses. I know that, for many parents, despite their current struggles with high energy and grocery bills, they would prefer to cut spending in many areas but not education. Over four million students are enrolled in our education system, with over 40.5 per cent attaining higher tertiary. In my Fowler community, over 15 per cent attend university, around seven per cent are studying for a diploma and around 22 per cent of students are currently in the high school system.

Our education system no doubt has changed a lot since my family's settlement in Australia in 1979, and so has the world. Since my election in 2022, I have been calling the government to cease HECS indexation to assist students, especially with increasing costs of living and in particular those in low socioeconomic areas like mine in Fowler. I therefore welcome the government's announcement in the May budget to modify the HECS indexation. My persistence and advocacy have not been in vain.

While I acknowledge the government's substantial efforts to reform higher education, the findings of the Australian Universities Accord report highlight the extensive work still required to secure a bright future for the next generation. The report spreads over 400 pages, with several key recommendations. Amongst the priority actions, in response to recommendation 14, the government will establish a new Commonwealth prac payment—CPP—to support students in teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work during mandatory replacements.

From July 2025, 68,000 eligible students can expect $319.50 per week during their placement. I have previously shared that many young students often spread their money thinly across rent, food and commuting, amongst other expenses, and $319.50 is invaluable assistance to struggling students, specially those from the Fowler electorate, during the cost-of-living crisis. However, I must express concern for the students in other allied health fields. I have had physiotherapy and podiatry students reach out and ask, 'What about us?' They are feeling overlooked despite their critical role as part of the health sector. It is imperative that the government clarify whether the CPP will extend to these allied health students as well. In 2023, I established the Fowler Youth Advisory Committee, which convenes quarterly to spearhead initiatives that matter to the youth Fowler. A recurring theme in our discussions has been the need for increased financial support for disadvantaged young people in higher education.

I also would like to remind the government that the 2024 budget disappointingly failed to address the inequity of the Job-ready Graduates Package from the Morrison government. This package encouraged students to pursue STEM subjects, whilst disproportionally increasing fees for arts students. The report clearly indicates that the JRG requires urgent remediation due to the financial barriers it creates. I understand the demand for STEM graduates, especially with the Future Made in Australia plan, but this approach is regressive and borderline utilitarian and has discriminatory effects. There are a significant number of female students undertaking arts and social science courses out of passion, and a continuation of the JRG will exacerbate the existing gender pay gap. Will the government advocate for a future that is short on understanding the riches of our history and philosophy? The government needs to have a long think about this. Addressing these concerns is essential to truly establishing Australia as a global leader in education.

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