Hon Peter Collier asks Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich about discussions regarding alleviating HECS burden for teachers in rural areas, following up on a previous question. The response details federal initiatives for maths and science graduates, including HECS-HELP repayment reductions for teachers.

AnsweredQoN 470Legislative Council
Asked
15 May 2008
Portfolio
Education and Training

QuestionView source ↗

HIGHER EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION SCHEME
I refer the minister to his response to question without notice 476 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 18 September 2007 in relation to the higher education contribution scheme. In particular, I refer the minister to his comments that — The second thing I have suggested to the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training is that she could also alleviate the higher education contribution scheme burden on teachers leaving university who are prepared to go to a country location. And — I suggest that the commonwealth government take a leaf out of the federal opposition’s book, which suggested that these sorts of techniques should be put in place to alleviate the teacher shortage. (1) Has the minister discussed the prospect of alleviating the HECS burden on teachers leaving university who are prepared to go to a country location with the new federal Labor Minister for Education? (2) If no to (1), why not, and when will the minister discuss this proposal with his federal counterpart? (3) If yes to (1), what was the response from the federal Minister for Education? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) In the recent commonwealth budget, the Rudd Labor government announced the allocation of $562.2 million over four years for maths and science initiatives in universities. From 1 January 2009, the maximum annual student contribution amount for maths and science will be reduced to the lowest national priority rate for new students. A further $63.6 million has been set aside to reduce HECS-HELP repayments for maths and science graduates who take up related occupations such as teaching. The government will refund 50 per cent of an eligible graduate’s compulsory HECS-HELP repayments for five years. (2) Not applicable (3) Not applicable.
(2) If no to (1), why not, and when will the minister discuss this proposal with his federal counterpart? (3) If yes to (1), what was the response from the federal Minister for Education? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) In the recent commonwealth budget, the Rudd Labor government announced the allocation of $562.2 million over four years for maths and science initiatives in universities. From 1 January 2009, the maximum annual student contribution amount for maths and science will be reduced to the lowest national priority rate for new students. A further $63.6 million has been set aside to reduce HECS-HELP repayments for maths and science graduates who take up related occupations such as teaching. The government will refund 50 per cent of an eligible graduate’s compulsory HECS-HELP repayments for five years. (2) Not applicable (3) Not applicable.
(3) If yes to (1), what was the response from the federal Minister for Education? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) In the recent commonwealth budget, the Rudd Labor government announced the allocation of $562.2 million over four years for maths and science initiatives in universities. From 1 January 2009, the maximum annual student contribution amount for maths and science will be reduced to the lowest national priority rate for new students. A further $63.6 million has been set aside to reduce HECS-HELP repayments for maths and science graduates who take up related occupations such as teaching. The government will refund 50 per cent of an eligible graduate’s compulsory HECS-HELP repayments for five years. (2) Not applicable (3) Not applicable.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) In the recent commonwealth budget, the Rudd Labor government announced the allocation of $562.2 million over four years for maths and science initiatives in universities. From 1 January 2009, the maximum annual student contribution amount for maths and science will be reduced to the lowest national priority rate for new students. A further $63.6 million has been set aside to reduce HECS-HELP repayments for maths and science graduates who take up related occupations such as teaching. The government will refund 50 per cent of an eligible graduate’s compulsory HECS-HELP repayments for five years. (2) Not applicable (3) Not applicable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) In the recent commonwealth budget, the Rudd Labor government announced the allocation of $562.2 million over four years for maths and science initiatives in universities. From 1 January 2009, the maximum annual student contribution amount for maths and science will be reduced to the lowest national priority rate for new students. A further $63.6 million has been set aside to reduce HECS-HELP repayments for maths and science graduates who take up related occupations such as teaching. The government will refund 50 per cent of an eligible graduate’s compulsory HECS-HELP repayments for five years. (2) Not applicable (3) Not applicable.
(1) In the recent commonwealth budget, the Rudd Labor government announced the allocation of $562.2 million over four years for maths and science initiatives in universities. From 1 January 2009, the maximum annual student contribution amount for maths and science will be reduced to the lowest national priority rate for new students. A further $63.6 million has been set aside to reduce HECS-HELP repayments for maths and science graduates who take up related occupations such as teaching. The government will refund 50 per cent of an eligible graduate’s compulsory HECS-HELP repayments for five years. (2) Not applicable (3) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable (3) Not applicable.
(3) Not applicable.

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