‘Calm down’: PM clashes with reporter over key super for housing detail

Scott Morrison has clashed with a reporter after the PM refused to reveal details of modelling into the impact of his housing policy.

Scott Morrison told a reporter to “calm down” as he refused to reveal any details of modelling into the impact of his last-ditch super for housing policy.

The Prime Minister visited Springfield Rise Display Village, 25km south of Brisbane, in the seat of Blair on Monday morning where he stood over a miniature village while shooting the breeze with locals who had bought a home.

He was keen to spruik his party’s new plan to allow first-time buyers to invest up to 40 per cent of their superannuation, up to a maximum of $50,000 to help with the purchase of their first home.

There appeared to be opposition to the idea from influential members of his own party in recent years, including Peter Dutton in 2017 and John Howard last year.

However, on Monday Mr Morrison appeared to suggest those who spoke against the policy were now in favour of it.

Stream more election news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends October 31, 2022 >

Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a reporter to ‘calm down’ as he refused to reveal any details of modelling into the impact of his last-ditch super for housing policy. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

“I was with Peter Dutton and John Howard yesterday and they were enthusiastically in support of the plan,” he said.

“This is something I’ve been working towards for some time. I’ve had a great passion for this. I started the first home super saver scheme and Labor opposed it. They opposed it. They’ve always opposed it.

“The HomeBuilder program. Labor bagged it. They mocked it. It’s helped tens of thousands of people to own their own home and here we are today saying you can access your own money, protect your retirement savings and get in your own home and Labor are opposing it.”

Asked whether Howard and Dutton had changed their minds he said they “clearly” had.

However, the press conference soon became testy when Mr Morrison was asked to talk about what impact would have on house prices.

One of the key criticisms of the scheme is that it will pump even more demand into an already overheated property market and push prices up even further.

The PM spoke to the media at a press conference following a visit to Springfield Rise Sales & Information Centre Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Mr Morrison argued that a range of measures like his downsizing policy and the HomeBuilder policy will increase supply to soften the blow of increased demand – meaning the impact on the overall housing market would be “marginal”.

“When taken together, and when you look at the proportion of first homebuyers of the entire real estate market, it’s quite marginal,” he said.

However, when he was asked to talk about what modelling the government had used to reach this conclusion the press conference took a heated turn.

One reporter continually tried to ask Mr Morrison about the modelling amid a barrage of questions. Mr Morrison repeatedly ignored the question. At one point the Prime Minister asked him to “calm down” several times.

He pointed at another reporter for another question, but the journalist who wanted to know about the modelling was cut off by Mr Morrison.

“The question is here,” he said, pointing to another reporter.

The PM examined a model of the housing estate development while visiting the Springfield Rise Sales & Information Centre. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

He was eventually pressed on the modelling, in the final question of the conference before he walked off.

“Have you done any modelling on the impact that that is going have on house prices? And are you prepared to release that?” the reporter asked.

“I simply just don’t agree with the assertion,” Mr Morrison began.

“I didn’t make an assertion,” the reporter said.

“No, no, the assertion that this would have a negative impact, because you have to look at the balance of policies that this is addressing,” Mr Morrison.

“It deals with supply and it deals with demand. And these same criticisms have been levelled at every single housing policy I have been bringing forward. And on every occasion they have proved to be wrong on those criticisms.

“So, I’m not about to go and give them currency. What I know is Australians, they want access to their own savings to buy their own home, to support them and their family, to come and live in a wonderful place like this in Springfield, in the electorate of Blair.

“And the only way they’re going to be able to do that, the only way, is if they vote Liberal and National at this election on Saturday.

“That is the only way you will ever get access to those savings, your money – that’s what this policy does. Labor is against it. They’ll never give you access to it. Only the Liberal-Nationals will ensure that you can get into your own home by using your own savings in your own retirement pool. And that’s a guarantee. Thanks very much.”

And with that answer, he walked off amid a cacophony of unanswered questions.