Derryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham. In 2015 the government introduced legislation to attempt to recover HECS debt from Australians living overseas—debt that was deemed not expected to be repaid. I am wondering: how much have you clawed back through those measures?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hinch for his question. Senator Hinch is correct that the Turnbull government did pass through the parliament legislation that has provided for Australians living overseas to repay their HECS-HELP or their HELP loans at equivalent standards and rates to Australians who are living and working in Australia. Senator Hinch has asked precisely how much has been repaid to date. I'll have to take that question on notice, Senator Hinch. I don't have those figures to hand, but I will happily provide an estimate to you in the chamber.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hinch, a supplementary question?

Derryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Other than slogging future students for the debt incurred by past students, as the higher education bill unfairly attempts to do, what other measures can you tell me that the government has taken or has even been considering to start to claw back the $50 billion that's owed to the taxpayer?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Indeed, this is at the heart of the types of reforms that the Turnbull government has got before the parliament in relation to higher education. Yes, we are asking those who have debts at present to pay them back a little bit faster, asking those on higher incomes to pay it back a little bit faster and asking people to start paying back a little bit faster, albeit at a slower or lower level or rate of repayments. We are equally introducing or proposing a performance contingent fund for universities to ensure that in the future there is greater linkage to the outcomes of students, including the employment outcomes of students, to make sure that future graduates align with the employment market and therefore good job prospects.

Overall, of course, our commitment is to grow the economy, which is why as a government we are thrilled to have seen hundreds of thousands of jobs—around 800,000 jobs—created since we were elected, with more than 300,000 jobs created over the last 12 months, all of which creates the opportunity for people to repay those debts in the future. (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Do I need to ask you whether you have a final supplementary question, Senator Hinch?

Derryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, because I consider second supplementaries a time-wasting indulgence, I'll pass.