The current HECS debt system is deeply flawed and places undue financial strain on millions of Australians. Last year alone, over a million individuals witnessed their HECS debts growing faster than they could manage due to an unjust indexation mechanism. It’s time for change!

Our government garnered more revenue from HECS debts last year than it did from its primary fossil fuel tax. This imbalance is unacceptable and burdens students with unnecessary financial hardship.

As we unite in signing this petition, Education Minister Jason Clare holds the power to address these inequities and shape the future of HECS debt policies. We call upon Minister Clare to take decisive action and reform the way HECS debts are indexed.

University education should be a source of pride and opportunity, not a pathway to lifelong financial burden. The Australian Universities Accord, released recently, echoes this sentiment and recommends urgent reform in this area.

We advocate for a fair and sustainable solution that ensures no individual’s debt grows faster than their ability to repay it. One viable option is to implement the lowest indexation rate annually, whether based on wages or prices, thereby preventing undue financial strain on students and graduates.

In today’s challenging times, young people are already grappling with a housing crisis, rising living costs, and the looming threat of climate change. Adding a HECS debt crisis to this list is unjust and unnecessary.

Let’s stand together and demand fairness and accessibility in the HECS debt system. Sign this petition to urge Minister Clare to take action and implement meaningful reforms that alleviate the financial burden on current and future students. Together, we can ensure that education remains a pathway to opportunity, not a barrier to financial stability.