Chalmers doubles down on super fundraising push after Hanson’s personal attack
Jim Chalmers has doubled down on a fundraising push that seized on Pauline Hanson and Andrew Bragg’s recent superannuation comments after the One Nation leader labelled the treasurer “full of s---” for his message.
A screenshot of the message calling for donations read: “It’s Jim Chalmers here... (shadow housing minister) Andrew Bragg wants to scrap your super and Pauline Hanson’s backing him.”
Pauline Hanson has taken a swipe at the Treasurer on Facebook. Facebook
“Labor built super. I won’t let them tear it down.”
Hanson hit back on social media on Tuesday, saying Chalmers was “full of s---“.
“One Nation doesn’t support scrapping super, we just think people should be able to use their super when in financial distress instead of losing their home,” she said.
Hanson, citing her previous statements that people should be able to access their super for urgent financial needs such as housing, added that “Labor would rather you end up homeless”.
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Bragg also took to social media, accusing Labor of being afraid of debate that gives people more choice and control over their lives.
“We want Australians to have the best retirement. Making sure the housing and super systems work together is sensible,” he said.
“Chalmers has failed as treasurer. Everyone can feel his economic failure, and all he has left is scare campaigns and personal attacks.”
Speaking later on Wednesday, Chalmers said he did not regret the text message and instead warned of the “biggest threat to compulsory superannuation in the four decades that it has existed”.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has hit back at Treasurer Jim Chalmers over superannuation policy. Getty
“Now, if any combination of Liberals, Nationals or One Nation win the next election, Australian superannuation savings are not safe and workers will be worse off as a consequence,” he said.
Australia’s $4.5 trillion nest egg has been propelled into the front and centre of federal politics after Bragg and then Hanson made remarks about superannuation.
Bragg questioned compulsory super, describing it as a “strange but huge illiberal experiment” in a rogue and wide-reaching National Press Club address last week.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has accused One Nation of seeking to dismantle compulsory super. Alex Ellinghausen
Hanson this week called for Australians to be able to access their super early in a cost of living crisis, which kicked off widespread debate and criticism.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor brushed off speculation of a policy shift, saying he has no plans to change the super system but would support flexibility to allow taxpayers to invest how they see fit.
Compulsory superannuation was introduced in 1992 by then-Labor prime minister Paul Keating, with the aim of making Australians less dependent on the taxpayer-funded age pension.
Employers are forced to pay a proportion – currently 12 per cent – of their staff’s wages into a nominated super account.
Australians can only access their super once they reach 65, or 60 if they’ve retired, but there are already conditions in place for those who wish to withdraw their funds early.
These include compassionate grounds, terminal illness, incapacity and severe financial hardship.
Taxpayers can also access additional voluntary contributions through the First Home Super Saver scheme and permanent residents can withdraw their funds if they are leaving the country.
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