Breaking news: we took on the government and WON!

In response to our record-breaking petition, the Federal Government has just announced it will wipe $3 billion in student debt, benefitting the 3 million Australians with a HECS debt.

Author

Max Koslowski
May 05, 2024

Dear friend,

I’m writing this morning with wonderful news.  

Over the past two months, 288,000 people signed my petition — one of the largest in Australian history — calling on the government to fix the broken HECS debt system.

Today, we won. 

If you have an average HECS debt of $26,500, your debt will be cut by $1,200. If you have a $50,000 debt, it will be cut by $2,200.  

HECS debts will now be indexed to whichever is lower of the Consumer Price Index and the Wage Price Index — which is exactly what my petition called for. 

If you were one of the almost 300,000 people who signed my HECS debt petition: thank you.

Being an Independent is about listening — and then acting. That’s what I’ve done with HECS over the past year and I’m pleased we got a result.

By listening to the community, we’re showing the political parties how to get the job done. 

We’re not done, though. The HECS debt issue is emblematic of a much broader problem: Millennials and Gen Zs aren’t just facing insurmountable HECS debts; they’re also facing a housing crisis, a climate crisis, and a cost-of-living crisis. 

This isn’t just about HECS debts — it is about getting the government to fulfil its promise to the next generation.

I know people my age want the best for our young people. We are at serious risk of becoming the first generation in history to leave the world worse off than we found it. 

Fearless action on housing and the climate will give our children and grandchildren hope for the future again. 

I will keep listening to the community and I will keep working until that’s achieved.

Thanks for your support, and have a lovely rest of the weekend.

All the best,

P.S. My sixth Town Hall is coming up on Thursday, 23 May at 6:00pm, and we’re going to reveal the results of the Cost-Of-Living Community Survey there.

Beforehand, we’re hosting the inaugural ‘Bring Your Bill’ drop-in session, bringing together banking, utilities and other services to answer your questions. While an RSVP isn’t required for the drop-in session, it is for the Town Hall. 

Click here to find out more about the ‘Bring Your Bill’ drop-in session or to RSVP to my next Town Hall.