Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

whereas two decades ago it was around 2.6. Of course, there have been proposals around for a rather long period of time. The Real Estate Institute of Australia has had a proposal on the table for quite some period. I was doing a bit of cursory research as to who, formally, actually came up with the proposal for the first time. I know my colleagues will not believe it, but the first proponent of using superannuation to help pay for first-home ownership was Paul Keating. I know this guy here was too young to be born but, in a 1993 election campaign speech, Paul Keating stood up and said, 'Young Australians should be able to use their superannuation to purchase their first home.' Paul J Keating—I know he is a mate of yours. Pick up the phone to him. I tell you what: there is a lot of hypocrisy in this debate and no more a hypocrite than one sitting at this table, right over there. As I said before, you have always got to remember your history with the Labor Party. You cannot forget the Labor Party, the Labor Party that chooses to forget its history. But do you know what? We have got some fantastic researchers on our side and we are always watching you.

Opposition members interjecting—

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