Federal Labor is banking on education reform to give it a much-needed boost, as MPs and senators return to Canberra for the final month of parliamentary sittings.

But a furore over flight upgrades and the outcome of the US election threatens to overshadow any plans the government has for a pre-election reset.

The upcoming sitting week in Parliament House is set to be dominated by education after Labor announced it would slash HECS debts for university students by 20 per cent, if it is returned at the next election.

The government is also hoping an emphasis on fee-free TAFE would give it a boost, after announcing there will be 100,000 places made available each year from 2027.

“More tradies to build our homes, more apprentices getting a start, more carers to look after our loved ones, whether they be young or old, more opportunities for Australians to train and retrain,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday.

The House of Representatives is also expected to pass laws supporting a 15 per cent pay rise for early childcare workers, ahead of the boost coming into effect in December.

But the coalition is likely to continue to press the government on the prime minister’s travel arrangements, amid revelations he received 22 flight upgrades from Qantas, with some reportedly granted after Mr Albanese contacted the airline’s former head Alan Joyce.

Mr Albanese has denied he had contacted Mr Joyce for flight upgrades.

Education Minister Jason Clare on Sunday admitted he also sought a flight upgrade in 2019 after surgery on his leg.

He called Qantas to ask for the upgrade.

With the upcoming sitting week also featuring a round of Senate estimates hearings on government spending and decision-making, questions about MPs travel arrangements are expected to feature prominently.

While the debate in Parliament House is expected to be fiery, all eyes in Canberra on Wednesday will be trained on the US as the results from the presidential race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump feed through.

Both sides of politics have stressed Australia’s relationship with the US will remain unchanged, regardless of who wins.

Economic management in Australia will also be high on the agenda, with the Reserve Bank of Australia set to hand down its decision on interest rates on Tuesday.

The cash interest rate has been on hold at 4.35 per cent since November 2023, while the government has been buoyed by key inflation figures showing price pressures fell to 2.8 per cent in the September quarter.

It’s the first time inflation has been within the central bank’s preferred two and three per cent target range since 2021.

The lower house is also set to debate laws that would bar the NBN from being sold off, along with aged care and merger reform.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said misinformation laws will also be back up for debate.

“Misinformation and disinformation pose a threat to the safety and wellbeing of Australians, as well as to our democracy, society and economy,” he said.

“As usual, the opposition will come to parliament to try and stand in the way of Labor reforms that are delivering for Australians.”

The federal election will be held by the end of May.

This post was originally published on Michael West.