In the media
Finally – an educated adjustment to HECS calculations
Media release, 5 May 2024
In May last year, a group of local young people and concerned parents told me of their distress at the way HECS/HELP debt is calculated. That month I took those observations to the Federal Minister for Education who remarked at the time, “Tink has a point”. In March this year I met with the Minister again to advocate for reform but to also ask for debt forgiveness.
Over a year since that work began, and after strong advocacy from the crossbench, today’s announcement of a new approach to indexation as well as debt forgiveness from last year is overdue, but welcome.
This is an example of the change that can be delivered when a government is prepared to listen to the community. This is politics done differently.
Today’s announcement will have an immediate, positive impact on the lives of millions of young people who are grappling with escalating living costs and financial insecurity.
It is positive the government has listened and ensured the changes include retrospectively lowering the indexation figure paid by students on June 1 last year to the wage growth figure of 3.2 per cent.
This is a big win for young people, particularly young women, who have larger HECS debts but consistently earn less than men. By removing the unnecessary burden of thousands of dollars of debt, young people can focus on moving ahead with their lives.
Tertiary education is an investment in our future. It’s critical we not only alleviate immediate financial pressures but have a system that supports greater productivity and community prosperity.
Today’s announcement is also a small but important step towards improving intergenerational equity. However, there is much more we can do to improve outcomes for the next generation including implementing other recommendations of the Universities Accord, reforming our tax system, acting urgently on climate change and investing in a future-focused economy.
Other relevant posts
Technology-Facilitated Abuse: The Hidden Danger in our Digital Lives
North Shore Mums, 12 September 2024
Kylea urges parents to beware technology-facilitated abuse and to talk to their families about what respectful relationships and problematic behaviour looks like.
‘Greatest honour’: Kylea Tink on representing North Sydney
Daily Telegraph, 12 September 2024
"I continue to believe that the two major parties do not represent the best of us as a nation," Kylea says. "I believe all of us Australians have a responsibility to turn up and work together to try and make sure that the country that we leave for our kids is better than the country that we were born into."
Statement on AEC boundary announcement
Media release, 12 September 2024
Kylea Tink MP, Independent Federal Member for North Sydney, has responded to today’s decision by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) confirming the electorate of North Sydney is to be abolished.
MPs urge tougher standards for politicians acting badly
Canberra Times, 10 September 2024
Laws setting up an independent Parliamentary Standards Commission have passed the lower house, but some fear they may not be strong enough to truly enforce behavioural standards. Kylea says putting the parliamentary privileges committee in charge of sanctioning MPs "is like asking arsonists to put out their own fires, and means there is no guarantee that disciplinary actions will be impactful".
Teals demand 75pc emissions cut target by 2035
The Australian, 10 September 2024
“Our country’s 2035 emissions target must be in line with global efforts to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of keeping warming below two degrees Celsius," Kylea says. “Anything less than an ambitious, legislated 2035 target would not only be detrimental to our economy, the cost of living and our environment, but would ultimately be a slap in the face to future generations.”
Watered down parliamentary watchdog ‘doesn’t pass the pub test’
The Guardian, 10 September 2024
The Albanese government has been accused of watering down its proposed independent parliamentary standards commission. "Politics seems to have gotten in the way of a better outcome here and I don’t believe the majority of Australians would be satisfied by that," Kylea says.
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