Latest news with #SarahHenderson
Perth Now
a day ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Lib Senator goes rogue on key Labor Bill
Demoted Liberal senator Sarah Henderson is pushing for an indexation cap on Labor's student debt-slashing Bill. Central to Labor's re-election pitch, it was the first piece of legislation the Albanese government introduced when parliament resumed last week. NewsWire understands it did so confident the Coalition would back it in, despite opposition posturing that it was not guaranteed. Sussan Ley and her education spokesman Jonno Duniam have since publicly signalled they would pass it as is, making Senator Henderson yet another Coalition backbencher to break from the party line on a key issue. Former opposition education spokeswoman Sarah Henderson is pushing for major changes to Labor's student debt-slashing bill. Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia 'This is a proposal for a HECS loan inflation guarantee, so effectively saying that HECS should not be above 3 per cent indexation,' Senator Henderson told Sky News on Monday. 'We've seen student debt completely run out of control under Labor. 'It's been an absolute fiasco, which is why they brought forward their student debt discount. 'At one stage, it was close to 16 per cent increase, and even after the change in indexation, it's still 14.3 per cent up since Labor was elected.' Senator Henderson was opposition education spokeswoman under Peter Dutton but banished to the back bench in the new Coalition front bench under Ms Ley. She said she put her indexation policy forward before the May 3 election but it ended up on the 'cutting room floor' – a decision she labelled 'regrettable'. 'I did actually propose this in the lead up to the last election,' Senator Henderson said. 'I've been talking to my colleagues, I've received a very positive response. 'So I'm hoping that we'll go through our ordinary party room processes, but I'm very much hoping that this amendment will get the support not just of the Coalition, but also of the parliament.' Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has signalled the Coalition will back Labor's student debt-slashing Bill as is. Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia However, she said the opposition should not vote against Labor's Bill. The Bill would cut student debts by 20 per cent for some 3 million graduates, or wipe off $5500 from the average debt. The changes would also raise the repayment threshold for student loans from $54,000 to $67,000. Unless members of the Coalition back her amendments, Senator Henderson will have a hard time getting her changes off the ground. The Greens have ruled out working with her, with the minor party's education spokeswoman Mehreen Faruqi saying on Monday that the 'Coalition and Sarah Henderson are no friends of higher education'. Senator Faruqi has blasted the Bill for not going far enough. But with support from the Coalition, whether the Greens back it matters little to getting through the Upper House. Education Minister Jason Clare introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives last week.
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Coalition split emerges over Labor's university debt legislation
Demoted Liberal senator Sarah Henderson is pushing for an indexation cap on Labor's student debt-slashing Bill. Central to Labor's re-election pitch, it was the first piece of legislation the Albanese government introduced when parliament resumed last week. NewsWire understands it did so confident the Coalition would back it in, despite opposition posturing that it was not guaranteed. Sussan Ley and her education spokesman Jonno Duniam have since publicly signalled they would pass it as is, making Senator Henderson yet another Coalition backbencher to break from the party line on a key issue. 'This is a proposal for a HECS loan inflation guarantee, so effectively saying that HECS should not be above 3 per cent indexation,' Senator Henderson told Sky News on Monday. 'We've seen student debt completely run out of control under Labor. 'It's been an absolute fiasco, which is why they brought forward their student debt discount. 'At one stage, it was close to 16 per cent increase, and even after the change in indexation, it's still 14.3 per cent up since Labor was elected.' Senator Henderson was opposition education spokeswoman under Peter Dutton but banished to the back bench in the new Coalition front bench under Ms Ley. She said she put her indexation policy forward before the May 3 election but it ended up on the 'cutting room floor' – a decision she labelled 'regrettable'. 'I did actually propose this in the lead up to the last election,' Senator Henderson said. 'I've been talking to my colleagues, I've received a very positive response. 'So I'm hoping that we'll go through our ordinary party room processes, but I'm very much hoping that this amendment will get the support not just of the Coalition, but also of the parliament.' However, she said the opposition should not vote against Labor's Bill. The Bill would cut student debts by 20 per cent for some 3 million graduates, or wipe off $5500 from the average debt. The changes would also raise the repayment threshold for student loans from $54,000 to $67,000. Unless members of the Coalition back her amendments, Senator Henderson will have a hard time getting her changes off the ground. The Greens have ruled out working with her, with the minor party's education spokeswoman Mehreen Faruqi saying on Monday that the 'Coalition and Sarah Henderson are no friends of higher education'. Big issue looming on HECS debt vow Senator Faruqi has blasted the Bill for not going far enough. But with support from the Coalition, whether the Greens back it matters little to getting through the Upper House. Education Minister Jason Clare introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives last week. Originally published as Demoted Liberal senator pushes indexation cap on Labor's HECS Bill
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Demoted Liberal senator pushes indexation cap on Labor's HECS Bill
Demoted Liberal senator Sarah Henderson is pushing for an indexation cap on Labor's student debt-slashing Bill. Central to Labor's re-election pitch, it was the first piece of legislation the Albanese government introduced when parliament resumed last week. NewsWire understands it did so confident the Coalition would back it in, despite opposition posturing that it was not guaranteed. Sussan Ley and her education spokesman Jonno Duniam have since publicly signalled they would pass it as is, making Senator Henderson yet another Coalition backbencher to break from the party line on a key issue. 'This is a proposal for a HECS loan inflation guarantee, so effectively saying that HECS should not be above 3 per cent indexation,' Senator Henderson told Sky News on Monday. 'We've seen student debt completely run out of control under Labor. 'It's been an absolute fiasco, which is why they brought forward their student debt discount. 'At one stage, it was close to 16 per cent increase, and even after the change in indexation, it's still 14.3 per cent up since Labor was elected.' Senator Henderson was opposition education spokeswoman under Peter Dutton but banished to the back bench in the new Coalition front bench under Ms Ley. She said she put her indexation policy forward before the May 3 election but it ended up on the 'cutting room floor' – a decision she labelled 'regrettable'. 'I did actually propose this in the lead up to the last election,' Senator Henderson said. 'I've been talking to my colleagues, I've received a very positive response. 'So I'm hoping that we'll go through our ordinary party room processes, but I'm very much hoping that this amendment will get the support not just of the Coalition, but also of the parliament.' However, she said the opposition should not vote against Labor's Bill. The Bill would cut student debts by 20 per cent for some 3 million graduates, or wipe off $5500 from the average debt. The changes would also raise the repayment threshold for student loans from $54,000 to $67,000. Unless members of the Coalition back her amendments, Senator Henderson will have a hard time getting her changes off the ground. The Greens have ruled out working with her, with the minor party's education spokeswoman Mehreen Faruqi saying on Monday that the 'Coalition and Sarah Henderson are no friends of higher education'. Senator Faruqi has blasted the Bill for not going far enough. But with support from the Coalition, whether the Greens back it matters little to getting through the Upper House.
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Liberal backbencher pushes for HECS changes
Liberal backbencher Sarah Henderson intends to publicly canvass support for changes to Labor's university student debt cuts. The Senator revealed she had pushed for a 'HELP loan inflation guarantee' at the last election, in an effort to one-up the government's 20 per cent student debt reduction. She will now advocate for an indexation amendment to the bill, despite Liberal Leader Sussan Ley indicating she would be willing to wave through Labor's plan as part of efforts to appeal to young voters. The HECS indexation rate in the past four years has been above 3 per cent.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Dumped shadow minister Sarah Henderson set for clash with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley on HECS debt relief
Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson, who was dumped from shadow cabinet by Sussan Ley, is set to clash with the Opposition Leader over a proposed amendment to Labors HECS debt relief plan. The Australian reports Senator Henderson will publicly canvass support to amend Labor's 20 per cent student debt reduction proposal by indexing loans with inflation to prevent major jumps in future. Ms Ley has already flagged she will move to let the legislation pass both Houses unchallenged. Catch up with all of the day's breaking news and live interviews from politicians and experts with a Streaming Subscription.
