Senator VANSTONE (Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs)(4.40 p.m.) —I have not made that calculation. I have no reason to doubt the calculation you have made. It may well be in the ballpark. I simply indicate to you that the government willingly accepts Senator Harradine's amendment.

Senator Bolkus —Why wouldn't you?

Senator VANSTONE —Because it is a proper recognition of the costs to families of having children, it is a recognition of family income and it takes those things into account. You may well realise, and Senator Harradine no doubt will take the opportunity to make other people realise this too, that, if this amendment passes, HECS debtors with, say, three children—and there will be a significant number of those; I cannot give you the exact number—will be relieved of the requirement to pay back HECS.

Senator Harradine —Their current HECS debt.

Senator VANSTONE —Their current HECS debts. This is a reduction in the savings that the government will achieve, but, at same time, it is important to note that we happily endorse that reduction. I am not sure whether the Treasurer (Mr Costello) feels the same way. We think it is a sensible acknowledgment of family circumstances. It does mean that some families who, under the previous government's proposals, would be paying their HECS back would, as a consequence of Senator Harradine's amendment, have a delay in paying their HECS back, which I imagine they will welcome.