Latest news with #HECS
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
PM ready to walk the talk as MPs return to parliament
Like many workers on Monday morning, the start of the work week for Anthony Albanese began with a commute from home to the office. As MPs and senators gather in Canberra ahead of the first sitting week of the new parliament, the prime minister braved a chilly winter morning to walk from The Lodge to Parliament House, ahead of official proceedings kicking off. Arriving alongside his son Nathan, the prime minister is set to start his second term in office implementing a lengthy agenda taken to voters at May's election. Labor's ranks have expanded in the 48th parliament to include 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, being the first government in nearly 60 years to not lose a single seat at a federal poll. The prime minister will address the significantly increased Labor caucus later on Monday, before parliament is officially opened on Tuesday. Earlier, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley addressed her joint party room for the first time since the coalition's landslide loss at the election, which has seen their numbers reduced to just 43 seats. She said the real work of opposition would begin with the start of parliament, but was ready for the challenge. "On behalf of struggling Australians, we are here for them. We are here to take the fight up to (the government)," she told the party room meeting. "That's what people expect. They want a parliament that understands their lives, what their lives are like, and a government that gets out of the way. "Our policies are up for review, but our values are not." Among the laws set to be introduced in the first week of parliament are a 20 per cent reduction for HECS debts for students, expanded protection for penalty rates and increased safety measures for children in childcare centres. Ms Ley said the opposition would be willing to work with the government to get the childcare laws passed as soon as possible. "If the prime minister and his team brings forward constructive policies that are in the national interest, then we'll support them, and we'll work with them," she said. Nationals leader David Littleproud said the coalition is prepared for a tough path back to forming government. "We have to be humble for what has happened to us. But we can do one of two things: we can sit in the corner in the fetal position and give up, or we can come out swinging," he said. "And I can tell you what we will do is come out swinging." Like many workers on Monday morning, the start of the work week for Anthony Albanese began with a commute from home to the office. As MPs and senators gather in Canberra ahead of the first sitting week of the new parliament, the prime minister braved a chilly winter morning to walk from The Lodge to Parliament House, ahead of official proceedings kicking off. Arriving alongside his son Nathan, the prime minister is set to start his second term in office implementing a lengthy agenda taken to voters at May's election. Labor's ranks have expanded in the 48th parliament to include 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, being the first government in nearly 60 years to not lose a single seat at a federal poll. The prime minister will address the significantly increased Labor caucus later on Monday, before parliament is officially opened on Tuesday. Earlier, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley addressed her joint party room for the first time since the coalition's landslide loss at the election, which has seen their numbers reduced to just 43 seats. She said the real work of opposition would begin with the start of parliament, but was ready for the challenge. "On behalf of struggling Australians, we are here for them. We are here to take the fight up to (the government)," she told the party room meeting. "That's what people expect. They want a parliament that understands their lives, what their lives are like, and a government that gets out of the way. "Our policies are up for review, but our values are not." Among the laws set to be introduced in the first week of parliament are a 20 per cent reduction for HECS debts for students, expanded protection for penalty rates and increased safety measures for children in childcare centres. Ms Ley said the opposition would be willing to work with the government to get the childcare laws passed as soon as possible. "If the prime minister and his team brings forward constructive policies that are in the national interest, then we'll support them, and we'll work with them," she said. Nationals leader David Littleproud said the coalition is prepared for a tough path back to forming government. "We have to be humble for what has happened to us. But we can do one of two things: we can sit in the corner in the fetal position and give up, or we can come out swinging," he said. "And I can tell you what we will do is come out swinging." Like many workers on Monday morning, the start of the work week for Anthony Albanese began with a commute from home to the office. As MPs and senators gather in Canberra ahead of the first sitting week of the new parliament, the prime minister braved a chilly winter morning to walk from The Lodge to Parliament House, ahead of official proceedings kicking off. Arriving alongside his son Nathan, the prime minister is set to start his second term in office implementing a lengthy agenda taken to voters at May's election. Labor's ranks have expanded in the 48th parliament to include 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, being the first government in nearly 60 years to not lose a single seat at a federal poll. The prime minister will address the significantly increased Labor caucus later on Monday, before parliament is officially opened on Tuesday. Earlier, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley addressed her joint party room for the first time since the coalition's landslide loss at the election, which has seen their numbers reduced to just 43 seats. She said the real work of opposition would begin with the start of parliament, but was ready for the challenge. "On behalf of struggling Australians, we are here for them. We are here to take the fight up to (the government)," she told the party room meeting. "That's what people expect. They want a parliament that understands their lives, what their lives are like, and a government that gets out of the way. "Our policies are up for review, but our values are not." Among the laws set to be introduced in the first week of parliament are a 20 per cent reduction for HECS debts for students, expanded protection for penalty rates and increased safety measures for children in childcare centres. Ms Ley said the opposition would be willing to work with the government to get the childcare laws passed as soon as possible. "If the prime minister and his team brings forward constructive policies that are in the national interest, then we'll support them, and we'll work with them," she said. Nationals leader David Littleproud said the coalition is prepared for a tough path back to forming government. "We have to be humble for what has happened to us. But we can do one of two things: we can sit in the corner in the fetal position and give up, or we can come out swinging," he said. "And I can tell you what we will do is come out swinging." Like many workers on Monday morning, the start of the work week for Anthony Albanese began with a commute from home to the office. As MPs and senators gather in Canberra ahead of the first sitting week of the new parliament, the prime minister braved a chilly winter morning to walk from The Lodge to Parliament House, ahead of official proceedings kicking off. Arriving alongside his son Nathan, the prime minister is set to start his second term in office implementing a lengthy agenda taken to voters at May's election. Labor's ranks have expanded in the 48th parliament to include 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, being the first government in nearly 60 years to not lose a single seat at a federal poll. The prime minister will address the significantly increased Labor caucus later on Monday, before parliament is officially opened on Tuesday. Earlier, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley addressed her joint party room for the first time since the coalition's landslide loss at the election, which has seen their numbers reduced to just 43 seats. She said the real work of opposition would begin with the start of parliament, but was ready for the challenge. "On behalf of struggling Australians, we are here for them. We are here to take the fight up to (the government)," she told the party room meeting. "That's what people expect. They want a parliament that understands their lives, what their lives are like, and a government that gets out of the way. "Our policies are up for review, but our values are not." Among the laws set to be introduced in the first week of parliament are a 20 per cent reduction for HECS debts for students, expanded protection for penalty rates and increased safety measures for children in childcare centres. Ms Ley said the opposition would be willing to work with the government to get the childcare laws passed as soon as possible. "If the prime minister and his team brings forward constructive policies that are in the national interest, then we'll support them, and we'll work with them," she said. Nationals leader David Littleproud said the coalition is prepared for a tough path back to forming government. "We have to be humble for what has happened to us. But we can do one of two things: we can sit in the corner in the fetal position and give up, or we can come out swinging," he said. "And I can tell you what we will do is come out swinging."
Perth Now
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
PM ready to walk the talk as MPs return to parliament
Like many workers on Monday morning, the start of the work week for Anthony Albanese began with a commute from home to the office. As MPs and senators gather in Canberra ahead of the first sitting week of the new parliament, the prime minister braved a chilly winter morning to walk from The Lodge to Parliament House, ahead of official proceedings kicking off. Arriving alongside his son Nathan, the prime minister is set to start his second term in office implementing a lengthy agenda taken to voters at May's election. Labor's ranks have expanded in the 48th parliament to include 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, being the first government in nearly 60 years to not lose a single seat at a federal poll. The prime minister will address the significantly increased Labor caucus later on Monday, before parliament is officially opened on Tuesday. Earlier, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley addressed her joint party room for the first time since the coalition's landslide loss at the election, which has seen their numbers reduced to just 43 seats. She said the real work of opposition would begin with the start of parliament, but was ready for the challenge. "On behalf of struggling Australians, we are here for them. We are here to take the fight up to (the government)," she told the party room meeting. "That's what people expect. They want a parliament that understands their lives, what their lives are like, and a government that gets out of the way. "Our policies are up for review, but our values are not." Among the laws set to be introduced in the first week of parliament are a 20 per cent reduction for HECS debts for students, expanded protection for penalty rates and increased safety measures for children in childcare centres. Ms Ley said the opposition would be willing to work with the government to get the childcare laws passed as soon as possible. "If the prime minister and his team brings forward constructive policies that are in the national interest, then we'll support them, and we'll work with them," she said. Nationals leader David Littleproud said the coalition is prepared for a tough path back to forming government. "We have to be humble for what has happened to us. But we can do one of two things: we can sit in the corner in the fetal position and give up, or we can come out swinging," he said. "And I can tell you what we will do is come out swinging."
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Labor to act on key cost-of-living promises in first week of parliament
Australians are weeks away from receiving a 20 per cent cut to their student debt, with Labor vowing to scrap HECS and HELP debt as the government's first priority once parliament resumes, following the government's landslide election victory. The changes will be applied to all student debts as they on June 1, 2025, with the average HELP debt of $27,600 set to receive a reduction of about $5520. The HECS reform will also reduce the repayment threshold for debts from $56,156 to $67,000. Rates of repayments will also be lowered then current levels, with someone on $70,000 paying $1300. Despite the Coalition not supporting the measure during the campaign, education spokesman Jonno Duniam said he expected the Bill to 'pass' parliament. Speaking to the ABC on Sunday, he said that while the legislation would still need to go through party room and shadow cabinet, he believed 'the Australian people spoke pretty clearly … around the policies the Labor Party took,' adding the party was 'not really in the business of standing in the way of cost of living relief'. Labor will also seek to introduce its cost-of-living election promises, including the $150 energy rebate top up, the 30 per cent discount on home batteries, paid prac measures for student nurses, teachers, social workers and midwives, plus a $10,000 cash bonus for trainee builders who finish their construction apprenticeship. It will also begin work on legislating a two-week increase for Government Paid Parental Leave and laws to add superannuation on government paid parental leave, while also increasing the Super Guarantee to 12 per cent. Education Minister Jason Clare will also use the first sitting week to introduce Bills to tighten protection settings in childcare centres, including provision to allow anti-fraud officers to inspect centres with a warrant or police supervision. The Coalition has also said it's open to working with the government to get the Commonwealth to pull funding on centres which fail to meet safety standards after a Victorian former childcare worker Joshua Brown was hit with more than 70 child abuse charges. While Labor holds a thumping 94-seat majority, out of a total 150 seats, in the Lower House, the government will still need to negotiate with either the Greens (which hold 10 seats), the Coalition's 27 senators, or the 10-member crossbench. After an election bloodbath, the Coalition will return with a significantly reduced 43 seats, while the Greens have been reduced to a single seat. Ahead of the official opening of the 48th parliament, Sussan Ley warned that while the Coalition would 'provide a constructive path for any legislation that makes Australia stronger,' it's 'good will is not a blank cheque'. As it stands, the opposition has already vowed to fight Labor's proposed superannuation tax on balances over $3m, with the Coalition also set to eye accidentally released treasury advice to Jim Chalmers which urged him to consider new taxes to increase the budget outlook. 'Anthony Albanese is yet to explain why his departmental officials secretly advised the Treasurer that Labor would need to raise taxes on Australians,' the Opposition Leader said. 'We will seek answers on behalf of Australian taxpayers, not one of whom should face a new tax that they didn't vote for.' It will also continue to attack Labor over its handling of Australia-US relations, following further fallout from Donald Trump's tariff trade war, with Anthony Albanese yet to secure a meeting with the US President. Originally published as Labor to act on key cost-of-living promises like 20pc HELP debt wipe-out, paid prac, $150 energy rebate
West Australian
a day ago
- Business
- West Australian
Labor to act on key cost-of-living promises like 20pc HELP debt wipe-out, paid prac, $150 energy rebate
Australians are weeks away from receiving a 20 per cent cut to their student debt, with Labor vowing to scrap HECS and HELP debt as the government's first priority once parliament resumes, following the government's landslide election victory. The changes will be applied to all student debts as they on June 1, 2025, with the average HELP debt of $27,600 set to receive a reduction of about $5520. The HECS reform will also reduce the repayment threshold for debts from $56,156 to $67,000. Rates of repayments will also be lowered then current levels, with someone on $70,000 paying $1300. Despite the Coalition not supporting the measure during the campaign, education spokesman Jonno Duniam said he expected the Bill to 'pass' parliament. Speaking to the ABC on Sunday, he said that while the legislation would still need to go through party room and shadow cabinet, he believed 'the Australian people spoke pretty clearly … around the policies the Labor Party took,' adding the party was 'not really in the business of standing in the way of cost of living relief'. Labor will also seek to introduce its cost-of-living election promises, including the $150 energy rebate top up, the 30 per cent discount on home batteries, paid prac measures for student nurses, teachers, social workers and midwives, plus a $10,000 cash bonus for trainee builders who finish their construction apprenticeship. It will also begin work on legislating a two-week increase for Government Paid Parental Leave and laws to add superannuation on government paid parental leave, while also increasing the Super Guarantee to 12 per cent. Education Minister Jason Clare will also use the first sitting week to introduce Bills to tighten protection settings in childcare centres, including provision to allow anti-fraud officers to inspect centres with a warrant or police supervision. The Coalition has also said it's open to working with the government to get the Commonwealth to pull funding on centres which fail to meet safety standards after a Victorian former childcare worker Joshua Brown was hit with more than 70 child abuse charges. While Labor holds a thumping 94-seat majority, out of a total 150 seats, in the Lower House, the government will still need to negotiate with either the Greens (which hold 10 seats), the Coalition's 27 senators, or the 10-member crossbench. After an election bloodbath, the Coalition will return with a significantly reduced 43 seats, while the Greens have been reduced to a single seat. Ahead of the official opening of the 48th parliament, Sussan Ley warned that while the Coalition would 'provide a constructive path for any legislation that makes Australia stronger,' it's 'good will is not a blank cheque'. As it stands, the opposition has already vowed to fight Labor's proposed superannuation tax on balances over $3m, with the Coalition also set to eye accidentally released treasury advice to Jim Chalmers which urged him to consider new taxes to increase the budget outlook. 'Anthony Albanese is yet to explain why his departmental officials secretly advised the Treasurer that Labor would need to raise taxes on Australians,' the Opposition Leader said. 'We will seek answers on behalf of Australian taxpayers, not one of whom should face a new tax that they didn't vote for.' It will also continue to attack Labor over its handling of Australia-US relations, following further fallout from Donald Trump's tariff trade war, with Anthony Albanese yet to secure a meeting with the US President.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Huge cost-of-living move coming this week
Australians are weeks away from receiving a 20 per cent cut to their student debt, with Labor vowing to scrap HECS and HELP debt as the government's first priority once parliament resumes, following the government's landslide election victory. The changes will be applied to all student debts as they on June 1, 2025, with the average HELP debt of $27,600 set to receive a reduction of about $5520. The HECS reform will also reduce the repayment threshold for debts from $56,156 to $67,000. Rates of repayments will also be lowered then current levels, with someone on $70,000 paying $1300. Despite the Coalition not supporting the measure during the campaign, education spokesman Jonno Duniam said he expected the Bill to 'pass' parliament. Labor will pursue action on its election vows to slash student debts and introduce paid prac ahead of parliament returning on Tuesday. NewsWire/ Nicholas Eagar Credit: NewsWire Speaking to the ABC on Sunday, he said that while the legislation would still need to go through party room and shadow cabinet, he believed 'the Australian people spoke pretty clearly … around the policies the Labor Party took,' adding the party was 'not really in the business of standing in the way of cost of living relief'. Labor will also seek to introduce its cost-of-living election promises, including the $150 energy rebate top up, the 30 per cent discount on home batteries, paid prac measures for student nurses, teachers, social workers and midwives, plus a $10,000 cash bonus for trainee builders who finish their construction apprenticeship. It will also begin work on legislating a two-week increase for Government Paid Parental Leave and laws to add superannuation on government paid parental leave, while also increasing the Super Guarantee to 12 per cent. Education Minister Jason Clare will also use the first sitting week to introduce Bills to tighten protection settings in childcare centres, including provision to allow anti-fraud officers to inspect centres with a warrant or police supervision. The Coalition has also said it's open to working with the government to get the Commonwealth to pull funding on centres which fail to meet safety standards after a Victorian former childcare worker Joshua Brown was hit with more than 70 child abuse charges. While Labor holds a thumping 94-seat majority, out of a total 150 seats, in the Lower House, the government will still need to negotiate with either the Greens (which hold 10 seats), the Coalition's 27 senators, or the 10-member crossbench. Politicians are set to return to Canberra on Tuesday for the first sitting fortnight of the 48th parliament. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia After an election bloodbath, the Coalition will return with a significantly reduced 43 seats, while the Greens have been reduced to a single seat. Ahead of the official opening of the 48th parliament, Sussan Ley warned that while the Coalition would 'provide a constructive path for any legislation that makes Australia stronger,' it's 'good will is not a blank cheque'. As it stands, the opposition has already vowed to fight Labor's proposed superannuation tax on balances over $3m, with the Coalition also set to eye accidentally released treasury advice to Jim Chalmers which urged him to consider new taxes to increase the budget outlook. 'Anthony Albanese is yet to explain why his departmental officials secretly advised the Treasurer that Labor would need to raise taxes on Australians,' the Opposition Leader said. 'We will seek answers on behalf of Australian taxpayers, not one of whom should face a new tax that they didn't vote for.' It will also continue to attack Labor over its handling of Australia-US relations, following further fallout from Donald Trump's tariff trade war, with Anthony Albanese yet to secure a meeting with the US President.
