☕️ How many MPs have HECS?

As we head into a new week, I wanted to take this moment to remind you about one of my favourite parts of TDA: our Good Newsletter. In yesterday’s edition, Zara shared a note from a reader, Zena, sharing an amazing community initiative, ‘Staying in Place’:

“…it’s a system that enables people in the community to age in their homes. It is creating more jobs for the local community and social connections for older adults at risk of isolation! Now the model is being used in over 40 WA locations.”

There’s no better antidote to a heavy news cycle than a weekly hit of uplifting community stories, incredible scientific breakthroughs, and the regular cameo from a cute baby animal. Hit subscribe to join 50,000 others who feel good about the news.

“We think, and the vast majority of Australians think, that multiculturalism has been a good thing for our country… the fact that this is being organised and promoted by neo-Nazi groups tells us everything we need to know about the level of hatred and division that these kinds of rallies are about.”
Environment Minister Murray Watt speaking to Sky News on Sunday about the anti-immigration ‘March for Australia’ rallies held around the country. Events in Melbourne and Adelaide ended with physical altercations.

7
The number of sunscreens that have been withdrawn from the Australian market following a report from consumer group Choice, which found their level of SPF was lower than advertised.

1985
The wreck of the Titanic was discovered on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has launched Fair Work Commission proceedings against the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), after the uni announced plans to cut dozens of courses earlier this month.

The union alleges the uni made the decision without consultation, breaching its own policies.

An internal UTS email seen by TDA showed the uni is organising workshops with staff “to progress the discussion”.

Earlier this month, UTS announced it would “temporarily suspend” new enrolments in a number of courses from next year.

The decision affects both undergrad and postgrad programs in several faculties, including law, health, science, and design.

The uni said the move does not necessarily mean the courses will be cancelled. It said some programs are being paused while they’re “redesigned to refresh curriculum”.

The union argued “students and staff deserve decisions made in the open, not behind closed doors.”

The NTEU branch president at UTS, Dr Sarah Attfield, demanded the university “show the evidence” of proper consultation with its community.

“Suspending courses mid-consultation undermines academic integrity, destabilises student pathways and shreds staff confidence,” Attfield said.

In an email to staff earlier this month, seen by TDA, UTS Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Parfitt acknowledged the “concern and uncertainty” within the institution but maintained the move was in the best interests of students.

UTS did not respond to further questions from TDA about this week’s developments.

The NTEU said the Fair Work Commission process had “paused” the cuts and that consultation with the uni would go forward.

Reporting by Achol Arok.

Of the 226 politicians in the Federal Parliament, four have student debts.

TDA has analysed the Parliament’s register of interests, which includes liabilities (debts).

The average age of a federal politician is 52. Youth activists say HECS is a deep cost-of-living concern for young people.

In response to TDA’s questions, the Government spruiked its changes to HECS, while Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said she wants to see “more younger Australians in Parliament”.

When you take a university or TAFE course, you can either pay upfront or apply for a Higher Education Contribution Scheme loan (HECS) under the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP). Most students apply for this loan.

From 1974 to 1989, when the system rolled out, degrees were free. The average HELP debt in 2023/24 was $27,600.

Unlike other types of loans, student debts don’t accrue interest.

However, they are indexed each year on 1 June, where the value of the debt increases in line with rising prices.

As of last year, debt changes are based on either the consumer price index (inflation) or wage price index (wage growth), whichever is lower.

The Government also passed a one-off 20% discount through Parliament in July.

TDA has analysed federal MPs and Senators’ register of interests.

These are formal declarations of assets, such as properties and investments, as well as debts and gifts, to identify potential conflicts of interest.

HECS or HELP debts are listed as a ‘liability’. Most MPs and Senators registered mortgages or credit cards under this category.

Four out of 226 parliamentarians have registered a HECS debt.

In the Senate, TDA has found Labor’s Charlotte Walker and the Greens’ Steph Hodgins-May are the only two who have listed student debts.

In the House of Representatives, Labor MPs Gabriel Ng and Matt Gregg have both listed student debts in their registers of interest.

Hodgins-May replaced Victorian Senator Janet Rice, who retired in April 2024, while the other three were elected this year.

This analysis does not cover those who have already paid off their student debts.

Youth activists told TDA the data reveals the absence of younger people in decision-making.

Alice Jackson, campaign adviser to Raise Our Voices Australia, a non-partisan group promoting youth political engagement, said it shows a “disconnect” between politicians and voters.

“HECS is tied quite heavily to the cost of living for young people,” they said.

Jackson said young people are increasingly engaging in grassroots political activism, but there remain “barriers to entry”.

Afsana Kazi, an 18-year-old university student and volunteer with the civics education program ‘Youth Decide’, said it was “unsurpising” but “disappointing”.

She acknowledged there are efforts to “resonate with the youth” through social media, but said Parliament can’t fully understand young people’s “particular plight.”

“There’s a lot of anxiety… and the general consensus is the world’s not in a great state at the moment,” she said.

Labor Senator Charlotte Walker became the youngest woman ever elected to Parliament this year at 21 years old.

She is one of the four MPs who have student debts.

Speaking to TDA, Walker said: “I’ve got colleagues that don’t have a HECS debt, but spend a lot of time talking to constituents that do”.

“Although not everyone within the Parliament has a HECS debt, there is still a level of understanding that... debt burden is a big problem for young people.”

Youth Minister Jess Walsh told TDA the Government engages with young people in several ways.

“Young people’s experiences matter to this Government and I look forward to continuing to hear from them,” she said.

In response to TDA’s questions, Education Minister Jason Clare spruiked the Government’s changes to HECS indexation and the one-off 20% discount to student debts, while admitting “there’s more to do” to make the system fairer.

No independent, minor party, or Coalition MPs and Senators had HECS debts listed.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley told TDA she worked part-time jobs, including as a cleaner, while studying to become a pilot, and took on a HECS debt when she studied in her 30s.

“I know it is tough, and it’s tougher today with rising costs,” she said.

“I want to see more younger Australians in Parliament — it’s clearly an area we need to improve on.”

Independent MP Dr Monique Ryan was head of neurology at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital before entering Parliament.

“ I don’t have all the health conditions that people come and talk to me about,” Dr Ryan told TDA.

“My job is to listen to [their]concerns and amplify them.”

She said “significant debt arising from tertiary education” remains a“structural roadblock” for young people wanting to enter politics.

Reporting by Harry Sekulich.

The small swap that makes a huge difference

FOGO (food organics and garden organics) bins are popping up across Victoria – and here’s the deal: your food scraps and garden clippings don’t belong in landfill. Toss them in the lime green FOGO bin instead, and they’ll be turned into rich compost for local farms and gardens.

And if you don’t live in VIC… compost is for everyone and it is easier than you might think!

✅ Yes please: food scraps, veggie peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells, garden clippings and more.

❌ Nope: plastic, packaging, glass, nappies, fruit stickers and other rubbish.

Sydney joined six other cities – Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City – in claiming the title of hosting a world major. 35,000 people ran the marathon event on Sunday, including some internationally-recognised athletes like Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge – who was the Olympic champion in 2016 and 2020 – along with Dutch woman Sifan Hassan, who was last year’s Olympic champ. The NSW Government said it’s a big moment for putting Sydney on the running map, and is expected to bring in an extra $73 million for the local economy over the next three years.

Want more good news? Sign up to our weekly Good Newsletter here - we promise it’ll make your week better!

Reporting by Harry Sekulich.

Garmin has made a product for horses.

You read that right.

Last week, Garmin announced the ‘Blaxe equine wellness system’, a tail wrap that monitors the horse’s health and fitness so trainers can make informed decisions. 

The system allows you to view “real-time” information, including strides, gait, distance, skin temperature, and safety recommendations based on temperature and humidity. 

The system is retailing for $1,050.

Reporting by Anju Dhanushkodi.

Last week, two police officers were shot dead while trying to serve an arrest warrant at a rural property near the north-east Victorian town of Porepunkah. A third was wounded and is recovering in hospital.

The man police allege murdered their colleagues is believed to be a “sovereign citizen,” a person who does not believe in standard laws and governments.

In today’s episode, we’ll explain what you need to know about sovereign citizens and their beliefs.