Support for One Nation’s plan to let people redirect part of their superannuation into their pay packets has more than doubled opposition, according to new polling.
The Compass Polling survey – provided to News24.com.au and conducted for One Nation between September 19 and 21 – found 62 per cent of adults support greater choice over super.
That was compared with 28 per cent who opposed the proposal and another 10 per cent who said they did not know.
The survey asked people how they viewed One Nation’s plan to allow people paying rent or a mortgage to divert one quarter of super contributions into take-home pay.
One Nation’s proposal would see employers pay 9 per cent of wages as compulsory super – rather than the full 12 per cent – with the remaining amount going to wages.
Of those surveyed, 26 per cent “strongly supported” the proposal and 36 per cent “somewhat supported” it.
The results suggested strong support across the political spectrum, with 74 per cent of One Nation voters backing the proposal, along with 67 per cent of Liberal voters.
Among Labor voters, 60 per cent supported the proposal and 35 per cent opposed it, while Greens voters recorded 55 per cent support and 33 per cent opposition.
Support was strongest among Australians aged 25 to 34, at 73 per cent, while 64 per cent of both 18-to-24-year-olds and 35-to-44-year-olds backed the proposal.
Under the policy, younger people would be the most likely to be paying rent or a mortgage, granting them access to the policy.
But even among older Australians, a majority supported the policy, with 56 per cent backing it among both 55-to-64-year-olds and those aged 65 and over.
News24 Pulse polling
However, the new poll contrasts with News24.com.au’s previous polling, conducted by YouGov, which found almost half of voters opposed the super proposal.
That poll asked: “Do you support or oppose One Nation’s proposed changes to superannuation”.
It specifically noted the policy had been “opposed on the grounds that it will destroy retirement incomes and people already have super in case of hardship”.
The results found just 33 per cent supported making it easier to access superannuation before retirement, while 47 per cent opposed and 20 per cent were unsure.
Chalmers attacks on One Nation plan
Labor and One Nation have clashed over the policy since Pauline Hanson announced it, with the government saying it will destroy the super system.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers provided analysis to News24.com.au claiming the policy could strip as much as $50 billion from retirement savings over three years.
The analysis estimated seven million workers would be eligible and that as much as $16 billion could be redirected from super contributions in a single year.
“One Nation’s super heist would rip off Australian workers to the tune of $50 billion,” Mr Chalmers said.
“This will end super as we know it and make Australians poorer. It means less money and less economic security for millions of Australians in retirement.”
Mr Chalmers has previously described One Nation’s approach as “very dangerous” and accused the party of an “anti-super” agenda.
Hanson hits back
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson rejected Mr Chalmers’ warnings, arguing workers struggling with rent or mortgage repayments needed the extra income.
Responding to Labor’s $50 billion analysis, Ms Hanson blamed what she called Mr Chalmers’ “incompetent economic management” for the cost-of-living crisis.
“Now he wants to deny you a choice that could help you get through it. What does losing your home do to your retirement, Jim?” she said.
Ms Hanson said the policy would unlock $44 more per week for a worker earning $90,500 or $82 for a working family.
“When you’re counting every dollar to keep a roof over your head, that’s real help,” she said.
Political staff can already take extra super as pay
The battle has also exposed a little-known arrangement available to some of the Treasurer’s own political staff.
As News24.com.au previously revealed, eligible parliamentary staff receive employer contributions of 15.4 per cent, above the 12 per cent compulsory rate.
Eligible staff can elect to receive the additional component as a “superannuation allowance” in their pay while retaining 12 per cent in super.
Department of Finance guidance says those who make the election receive an allowance equivalent to 3.9640 per cent of ordinary time earnings each pay.
“Apparently it’s fine when Canberra political staff do it, but reckless for Australians struggling to pay their rent or mortgage,” Ms Hanson said.
Read related topics:One NationSuperannuation Policy