Australia politics: Joyce on One Nation super plan
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The gist
One Nation proposes letting Australians divert part of their super to pay for three years. Critics warn it could worsen inflation and hurt retirement savings.
Background
One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson, has proposed a policy allowing Australians with mortgages or rent to divert a portion of their superannuation contributions to their take-home pay for up to three years. The party argues this provides relief for those facing financial hardship, while critics, including Labor and some Liberals, warn it could reduce retirement savings and exacerbate inflation. The proposal comes as One Nation has risen in the polls, and follows similar ideas from the Coalition.
How it unfolded
- recentlyOne Nation announces a policy to let Australians divert part of their super to their pay for up to three years, with Barnaby Joyce defending it as giving people access to their own money.
- Sep 6, 2026Labor and Liberal figures criticize the plan, with Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume calling it 'nothing more than a headline' and Labor's Tanya Plibersek warning it would leave people worse off in retirement.
- Sep 7, 2026Commentary highlights the policy's potential inflationary impact and draws parallels to the pandemic-era early super access scheme, which cost billions in retirement savings.
Who’s saying what
- Support
- Barnaby Joyce argues Australians are 'competent enough' to decide, and the policy gives them 'breathing room' during financial hardship.
- Caution
- Labor's Tanya Plibersek says 'if you raid your super now, you'll be thousands of dollars worse off in retirement' and wants people to 'retire with dignity'.
- Caution
- Nationals MP David Littleproud warns the plan could make inflation worse, and Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume dismisses it as a 'headline'.
Still unverified
One Nation's claim that the policy would have an 'undetectable' impact on inflation is disputed by critics.