Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. I'm happy to move it. I'm mindful, though, that there are a couple of people on the crossbench who are pretty intent on going to a swearing in in the other chamber, if it should be available. Nonetheless, that being said, Mr Chairman—

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: Move swiftly, then, Senator Bernardi.

by leave—I move Australian Conservatives amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 8417 together:

(1) Clause 2, page 2 (at the end of the table), add:

(2) Page 41 (after line 16), at the end of the Bill, add:

Schedule 4—FEE -HELP debts

Part 1—Amendments

Higher Education Support Act 2003

1 Subsection 137 -10(2)

Repeal the subsection, substitute:

(2) The amount of the *FEE-HELP debt is:

(a) if the loan relates to *FEE-HELP assistance for a unit of study provided by a Table B provider—the amount of the loan; or

(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply and the loan relates to *FEE-HELP assistance that forms part of an *undergraduate course of study—an amount equal to 125% of the loan; or

(c) if neither paragraph (a) nor (b) applies—the amount of the loan.

Part 2—Application of amendments

2 Application—FEE -HELP debts

The amendments of section 137-10 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 made by Part 1 of this Schedule apply in relation to a loan made on or after 1 January 2019.

These amendments effectively just remove the inconsistency and the unfair levy that is placed upon students at four particular universities.