Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We are doing the second reading on the Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024, but there are a number of deferred motions; that's what we're dealing with at the moment. The first deferred motion is in the name of Senator Henderson. The question is that the motion as moved by Senator Henderson be agreed to.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll now deal with the deferred vote on the second reading amendment on sheet 3113, as moved by Senator Faruqi. The question is that the amendment be agreed to.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is the second reading amendment as moved by Senator Chisholm be agreed to.

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move my second reading amendment:

At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:

(a) notes that student debt has skyrocketed in recent years, compounding a growing intergenerational inequity; and

(b) calls on the Government to:

(i) immediately reform the failed Job Ready Graduates Program that has been the primary driver of increased student debt,

(ii) amend the timing of indexation on student loans so that no indexation is charged on amounts already repaid, and

(iii) stop indexation from accruing until the compulsory repayment threshold is reached".

Question negatived.

Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move the amendment:

At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:

(a) notes the importance of:

(i) supplying targeted financial support for students, and

(ii) increasing the flexibility of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP); and

(b) calls on the Government to explore further measures to achieve this, including by:

(i) amending the treatment of HELP debt repayments so that payments made in the year preceding the date interest is calculated are deducted from the amount of the debt before the interest calculation,

(ii) reduce both the student and Government funding contribution for units that are delivered as practical placements, and

(iii) allowing practical placements undertaken by Australian students overseas to be recognised as course credit by their Australian higher education provider".

Question negatived.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question now is that the bill be read a second time.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.