Australia politics live: Hill says using super to buy a home gets ‘gold medal for stupidest policy’ after Hanson reignites debate

Canavan and Joyce attended an anti-abortion rally in Canberra on Wednesday, publicly supporting a controversial bill aimed at restricting abortion access. The lawmakers, representing the Liberal Party, joined activists advocating for stricter abortion laws, marking a visible alignment with conservative factions within the party. Their participation followed weeks of intense debate over proposed legislation that would limit access to abortion services in Australia, drawing criticism from pro-choice advocates and medical professionals. The rally was held outside Parliament House, drawing hundreds of supporters who chanted slogans demanding legislative change. Canavan, a prominent figure in the Senate, and Joyce, a member of the House of Representatives, both spoke during the event, emphasizing the need for greater protection of fetal life. They cited concerns over the increasing availability of abortion services and called for a national review of current laws. The bill, currently in draft form, seeks to impose tighter restrictions on procedures deemed non-medically necessary, potentially requiring parental consent for minors seeking abortions. The timing of the rally coincided with heightened political tensions surrounding other major policy issues. Earlier in the day, Julian Hill, the assistant minister for multiculturalism, criticized the Liberal Party's proposal to allow first-home buyers to access superannuation funds for housing purchases. Hill described the policy as “the stupidest policy,” arguing that it would exacerbate housing affordability problems and undermine long-term financial security. His comments came amid growing public scrutiny of the policy, which allows individuals to withdraw up to $50,000 or 40% of their superannuation savings for home purchase. Meanwhile, the Coalition faced pressure from within its ranks regarding its stance on key social policies. Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume acknowledged that the party had previously supported allowing first-home buyers to use superannuation funds but remained undecided on whether to continue the policy ahead of the next election. This uncertainty reflects broader divisions within the party as it navigates competing priorities between economic reform and social welfare. In the parliamentary chamber, Question Time saw heated exchanges between ministers and opposition members. Liberal frontbencher Aaron Violi questioned Housing Minister Clare O’Neil on the number of first-home buyers in her electorate of Hotham who were in negative equity. O’Neil refused to directly address the issue, instead criticizing the opposition for focusing on youth parliament attendees rather than addressing housing challenges. Her response drew sharp rebukes from Coalition members, including Milton Dick, who warned her to adhere to parliamentary rules. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took a brief break from politics to extend condolences to victims of a devastating earthquake in Indonesia, marking the nation’s 81st anniversary of independence. The gesture underscored the government’s commitment to international solidarity, though it did little to ease domestic political pressures. As the week progresses, the focus remains on the contentious abortion bill and the ongoing debate over superannuation reforms. With multiple stakeholders weighing in, the coming days will likely see further developments in these critical policy areas. For now, the political landscape remains charged, with lawmakers navigating complex ideological divides and public expectations.