STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator BELL (New South Wales—One Nation Whip) (13:42): Australians are suffering right now through a cost-of-living crisis inflicted on them by the Albanese Labor government, which is why One Nation has a proposal. It is the super pay boost, a lifeline to Australians who are in trouble now. It comes without another billion dollar government program and without adding a dollar to an employer's wage bill.

One Nation believes in giving renters and mortgage holders the choice to redirect a small part of their future super contributions for up to three years. There was something missing from Treasurer Jim Chalmers's kneejerk and hyperbolic response to our very sensible and compassionate proposal: compassion. There's no compassion for the Aussies doing it tough now.

Too many Australians, especially younger Australians, are staring at a bleak future where owning a home is slipping further out of reach. What use is telling them that they'll have a healthy super balance at 67 if, at 35, they cannot keep up with the rent or hold on to a mortgage? One Nation believes in helping people before they hit the wall—before Labor's cost-of-living crisis drags them into poverty.

The Labor government fundamentally misunderstands the proposal. This isn't new money created by government spending or a new wage increase imposed on employers. It's existing money—your money—being relocated by you if you choose.

Again, as I said, the hyperbolic kneejerk reaction from the Labor government shows that they do not understand or they do not care. Employees still pay 12 per cent, existing balances remain untouched, at least nine per cent keeps going into super and it lasts only for a maximum of three years. The real attack on workers has been falling real wages and soaring housing costs.

One Nation has this proposal because we understand that the cost-of-living crisis is hurting Australians now. We want them to keep a roof over their head today so that they actually have a home to retire in tomorrow.