Jacqui Lambie says Pauline Hanson a ‘bloody coward’ after One Nation cartoon calling Andrew Hastie a traitor

Pauline Hanson's proposal to allow mortgage holders and renters to access a portion of their superannuation contributions is generating significant debate. While her supporters argue the policy could provide much-needed financial relief during the cost of living crisis, critics contend it's economically unsound and detrimental to retirement savings.

One Nation, Hanson's party, is already ahead of the game, leaving the Coalition scrambling for responses. The Liberal Party, in particular, finds itself in the spotlight as they grapple with the merits and flaws of Hanson's proposal. The policy would allow renters and mortgage holders to receive a quarter of their future superannuation contributions in their take-home pay for up to three years.

This money would be taxed at a concessional rate, potentially saving taxpayers around $2,300 per year for a full-time worker earning $90,500. Despite the proposal's popularity among some, major industry bodies, like the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, argue it would push up inflation and make people poorer in retirement.

Hanson insists her policy would be neutral on inflation, but without any modelling to back up her claim. Critics also point out that the policy doesn't address the long-term demographic trend of an increasing number of retired renters. Independent economist Chris Richardson suggests that if everyone took the money offered by the policy, it would amount to an additional $26 billion a year available for spending.

However, much of this money would likely be spent on housing, not addressing the housing shortage in Australia.