Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I am aware that those concerns have been expressed. It is one of the issues that were picked up in the review and to which we will respond. I will make the broader point that this government strongly supports the FEE-HELP scheme. We think it has been one of the best things Australia has done to allow access to university education. I think there are very strong prospects for it to make a similar contribution at certain levels of VET education to assist students to be able to afford to take on the courses that will give them the best opportunities in life.

Clearly this review is important. I also note that, as I understand it, the policy of the Greens is to abolish all HECS and FEE-HELP student debts. I would like to know whether that is still Greens policy. Clearly if we are going to have a debate about this it has to be in the context of our strong support for the scheme and whether or not the Greens support the continuation of the FEE-HELP scheme. (Time expired)