Push to cap study debts

UNIVERSITY student debts could be capped at $90,000, forcing serial degree hoppers to pay full fees as the federal government tries to secure a deal on higher education reforms.

Nick Xenophon Team MP Rebekha Sharkie said the party did not support the proposal but was willing to find a way to reduce the student debt burden on government coffers.

Ms Sharkie said Education Minister Simon Birmingham had been vocal about students accumulating huge debts and it could be an area for negotiation. “I think we would be quite open to looking at a cap.”