Statement from President Heather Zwicker 

The Australasian Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Labor colleagues on their election victory over the weekend. 

We strongly endorse the re-elected government’s move to wipe $16 billion in student debt by 1 June and tackle the cost of living long term. 

It’s recognition of the electoral power young Australians now hold and of the issues that matter most to Gen Z and millennial voters.  

In some electorates Australians aged under 44 made up more than a third of all voters and policies on housing, HECS, health and cost of living have been identified as major drivers for these generations. 

By moving to slash student debt the newly formed government has signalled loudly that it understands the significant impact it is having on younger generations. 

Unfortunately, this debt will continue to accumulate as long as the Job-Ready Graduates funding model remains in place – policy that has driven the cost of degrees in humanities, creative arts and communications upwards of $50,000.  

Our Council is keen to work with the new government and the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to make university education more accessible to all Australians. 

We are excited to see the new Prime Minister and his team have clearly identified that student debt is not just an issue that matters to universities and lobby groups – it matters to the voter group that elected them.