Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. So the HECS debt saga goes on (“ Radical HECS cut on Labor’s agenda ”, November 1). Just cancel any interest payments on the original debt and thousands of professionals will return to Australia to fill so many vacant positions, especially in nursing and teaching.
It’s not rocket science, just a practical, logical decision for a dithering government. Money will not be lost as these professionals will never return under current debt arrangements. Would be a win-win result.
Denis Suttling, Newport Beach The potential reduction of HECS debts is good news for students, but it does not encourage the speedy repayment of debts. Those earning a good salary should be encouraged to pay down their debt as quickly as possible, for their personal benefit and to contribute to the budget bottom line. An incentive to do this would be an offer to match the repayments with an additional percentage reduction of the debt.
Geoff Harding, Chatswood Gough Whitlam: the man before the HECS plan Credit: Rick Stevens The whole system for repayment of higher education loans needs to be radically overhauled, starting with the abolition of indexation. Considering the drastic shortages of essential workers, such as nurses, serious consideration should be given to reducing the fees for some courses to encourage more school-leavers into pathways that will lead them into employment in essential services. Stephanie .