"Covid 19 has hit the economy hard"

The economy is not a sentient being, so hit is as hard as you want, it will never hurt!

The problem is that government (and others) are too attached to the economy-thing and addicted to its ghostly statistics (such as GDP, employment-rate and inflation-rate), so whenever the economy is hit they cry "Ouch" as if they were hit themselves.

COVID-19 could teach us to relax and have a fresh look. No one was hungry and in the absence of tourists, even those who previously lived in the streets suddenly found themselves in hotel rooms. There is no need to return to the old rat-race where everyone had to fight for a "job" just to be able to survive, regardless whether that job was ethical or contributed anything real to our quality of life. Even now there are still so many "employed" people around who could be contributing more to our well-being by becoming "unemployed".

Tristen you state -
"The problem is that many students never get a well-paid job despite their HECS debts. Distributing the cost through Company Tax and income tax means people pay in proportion to the gains made ; including by corporations who exploit skilled labour. The problem is that repayment thresholds have been reduced well below average wages."

My response - so why are students going to University in the first place. They are aware of HECS debt.

Let's get to the basics - University entrance was "lowered" to enable tertiary entrance for lower levels.

Over the years these students didn't continue for whatever reason - however Australian Taxpayers still repaying this debt.

The fault being the "entrance level" into University Education into Australia and the courses aspiring students take up.

The course/s offered to any student should be reviewed by Government being relevant to student being able to employed by any company in Australia.

This review is seriously overdue.

Some courses are valuable just in the sense of promoting critical thinking and helping society reflect and act upon its condition. As well as supporting public intellectuals who contribute to the public sphere.

Some people will also experience big setbacks - accidents/disability - and may never be able to pay off debt.

Dear SAINTS,

«My response - so why are students going to University in the first place.»

For a variety of reasons: to have fun, to find romantic partners, to avoid having to work, to live away from their family, to satisfy the wishes and expectations of their parents (as was in my case). Only a minority are there because they wish to find a good job.

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Dear Tristan,

«Some courses are valuable just in the sense of promoting critical thinking and helping society reflect and act upon its condition.»

Don't we all do this anyway?
Nevertheless, we are not paid for it, nor expect to be paid.

«As well as supporting public intellectuals who contribute to the public sphere.»

Would you feel comfortable about supporting, out of your own hard-earned tax-money, also such public intellectuals whose views greatly differ from yours?

Hey tristan,

"We can't put a price on peoples' lives and peoples' health. But many people will need to sacrifice to 'spread the burden' of funding recovery."

Doubt we'll ever get you to plow any fields or harvest and crops right Tristan?
In your socialist utopia do you wear the Chairman Mao pantsuit?

Tell me, what's the most you ever got your hands dirty in your entire life?
When mum made you take the bins out and bring the shopping in?

How much of this 'burden' are you planning taking upon yourself?
- Or are you just directing and supervising this effort?

...since YOU mentioned it, and all.

AC ; I suppose you'd rather the government do nothing and we end up with a a Depression of 1930s proportions?