Jun 28, 2026 – 4.17pmLabor is facing rising pressure from the crossbench and the Greens to show it is serious about fixing intergenerational inequality by dealing with skyrocketing student debts, as the cost of three-year arts, law and accounting degrees tips over $54,000.Accusing the government of presiding over a “stealth tax on graduates”, teal independent MP Monique Ryan will on Monday table a private members’ bill to shift the date HECS debts are indexed until after repayments are applied to the balance.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Labor under pressure to deal with skyrocketing student debts
Moving the date that student debts are indexed until after repayments are factored in would save graduates billions of dollars, independent MP Monique Ryan says.
TL;DRAI
Australia's Labor faces pressure to tackle student debts now exceeding $54K; MP Monique Ryan tables HECS indexation reform bill. Education cost surge signals talent availability decline; APAC tech hiring budgets will face pressure.
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