Mr ABBOTT (Warringah—Prime Minister) (14:51): Under the policies of members opposite, people have a $25,000 debt before they even get to university. A debt sentence is what the former government saddled every single Australian with— Ms Owens interjecting— The SPEAKER: I remind the member for Parramatta that she is warned! Mr ABBOTT: to the tune of $25,000 for every man, woman and child. Government members interjecting— The SPEAKER: There is too much noise on my right. Mr ABBOTT: Let us be clear who are the debt and deficit champions in this country—it is members opposite. Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER: And there is too much guffawing on my left. Mr ABBOTT: On the subject of universities and students, let me make it absolutely crystal clear: no student will pay $1 upfront, all fees will be covered by HECS or FEE-HELP, no-one will have to repay any of this until their income exceeds $50,000 and fully 50 per cent of the cost of their university education will be covered by the taxpayer. Only 40 per cent of the population go to university. On average they earn 60 per cent more income over their lifetime than the rest of us. It is only fair and reasonable— Ms Claydon interjecting— The SPEAKER: The member for Newcastle will desist! Mr ABBOTT: that we free up universities in this way. It will be a better system for universities, it will be a better system for students and it will be a better system for our country. Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER: Again there is too much guffawing on my left.