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Australian Politicians Argue Over Using Pension Savings to Buy Homes

Crowd waving australian flags at a rally
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Listen to the story

There is a big debate in Australia about money for old age. This money is called superannuation. People save it for when they stop working.

Pauline Hanson is a politician. She said people should use this savings money now. She said it can help with the high cost of living. She said people could use it to buy a home.

Many people in Australia find life expensive. Homes cost a lot of money. Ms Hanson said early access to super could help.

Another politician spoke against this idea. His name is Hill. He said this is the worst policy idea. He joked it should get a 'gold medal for stupidest policy'.

He thinks people need super money later in life. If people use it now, they may not have enough money when they are old.

This debate is happening in Australian politics right now. Different politicians have different views about super and homes.

Vocabulary7 words

superannuation
money saved for when you stop working; also called 'super'
cost of living
how much money you need for food, homes, and daily life
access
being able to use or get something
policy
a plan or rule made by government
politics
work and ideas about running a country
debate
when people talk about different ideas or opinions
politician
a person who works in government

Quiz

1. What does Pauline Hanson want people to use their super for?
2. What did Hill say about the idea?
3. Why did Hanson say people need early access to super?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

There is a big debate in Australia about money for old age. This money is called _____. People save it for when they stop working.

Pauline Hanson is a politician. She said people should use this savings money now. She said it can help with the high _____. She said people could use it to buy a _____.

Many people in Australia find life expensive. Homes cost a lot of money. Ms Hanson said early _____ to super could help.

Another politician spoke against this idea. His name is Hill. He said this is the worst _____ idea. He joked it should get a 'gold medal for stupidest policy'.

He thinks people need super money later in _____. If people use it now, they may not have enough money when they are old.

This debate is happening in Australian _____ right now. Different politicians have different views about super and homes.

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