Under pressure to explain super policy, Joyce says he is 'not Jesus Christ'
The One Nation Treasury spokesperson sidesteps questions about modelling the inflationary impact of the proposal, saying Australians are "not stupid" and can manage their own money.
Barnaby Joyce, Treasury spokesman for the One Nation party, has faced difficulty explaining the potential economic consequences of his party's proposed early superannuation access policy. The policy would allow Australians to divert a portion of their superannuation savings to their monthly income for up to three years. One Nation claims this would provide relief for those struggling with the cost of living.
However, critics warn the plan could lead to increased inflation due to additional money circulating in the economy. When questioned about the policy's economic impact, Joyce refused to answer, stating he is not "Jesus Christ" and needing the specifics. He argued that retirement savings are already part of the economy because they're invested by superannuation companies, and diverting some of these savings into personal income wouldn't significantly affect inflation.
Joyce insisted that anyone with a basic understanding of money could manage the scheme without any issues.
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