The fight over using super for housing has deep roots in Australian politics. But would it actually work? | Emily Millane

There is a growing debate about letting people use their superannuation to buy a home. One Nation supports the idea, and Liberal senator Andrew Bragg has raised it again. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the Coalition and One Nation want to 'vandalise' super. He predicts the next election will be a vote on the scheme. The article explains that the real fight is about control of Australia's huge savings pool, worth about $4.8tn.

Australia's compulsory super system began in 1992 under the Keating Labor government. Before that, most workers only had the age pension. Unions had campaigned for years to win retirement savings for workers, but the Liberals opposed the idea. Paul Keating and union leader Bill Kelty are seen as its founders. The system has grown into one of the biggest pools of savings in the world.

Super is the money many people rely on when they stop working. Changing the rules could help some buyers now but leave others with less later.