Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Chris Richardson’s heated criticism of the Albanese government’s plan to reduce HECS debts is one-dimensional and has the semblance of a political attack (“ HECS gift is a reverse Robin Hood ”, November 5). If Richardson wishes to campaign against tax breaks for those on higher incomes, he could choose to start with superannuation, family trusts, negative gearing, capital gains discounts and franking credits.
As a result of years of underfunding, our higher education system is in disarray, with universities relying on overseas students to get by and high school graduates deterred from undertaking a degree due to the resulting HECS debt. At the same time, if our country is to advance and be prosperous in the future, a greater percentage of the population will need tertiary education. Richardson makes the obvious observation that “somebody pays”.
Many would argue that he could direct his attention towards other tax breaks and rorts. Ross Butler, Rodd Point Graduates are in line for fee relief. Credit: Louie Douvos I’m unsurprised that proposed changes to HECs scheme to address intergenerational unfairness has created controversy.
As a Boomer, I’ve learnt hypocrisy has no bounds. And this is typically the same cohort that has vociferously resisted attempts to fix John Howard’s mess of unsustainable middle-class tax welfare. Howard’s tax policies, apart from leaving structu.