Anthony Albanese's relief will not fix the compensation system

At the same time, pressure on the cost of living has a huge impact on young people. The share of students who have to finance full-time studies with full-time work has increased by 50 percent since 1989.

Students also take longer to pay off their debts, now on average ten years. Delaying repayments to higher income levels will delay this further, meaning graduates will increasingly have student debt as they face other financial challenges, such as obtaining a home loan or starting a family. Removing $5,520 from the average graduate debt of $27,600 will make a meaningful difference, but again it will do nothing for new students.

The overall unfairness of student fees is strikingly at odds with the growing problem of student poverty. Many students at our university, Western Sydney University, report that they cannot afford to eat and study. Too many people give up on their dreams of a college education and a better life. We responded by opening a free pantry with basic products such as rice and oats. To keep our students studying, we must meet both their food and educational needs.

The profound problems with student fees are well known. They were mentioned earlier this year in the final report of the Universities Agreement. This showed that the structure of student fees needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, there is no sign yet that the government has heeded this call. It focuses only on the speed at which these unfair and disproportionate debts are repaid. This must change if we want to have a higher education system that values equality and opportunity for all.