Growing HECS debts are a problem for many Australians, both young and old. There are calls for indexation to be held, or for student debts to be wiped altogether, but one select group are being offered a $20,000 lifeline.

Queensland Police are using a raft of new incentives, including paying off $20,000 of university debt, to bolster their number of recruits. And Police Minister Mark Ryan said it’s working, with a 200 per cent increase in applicants since a recruitment drive started last…