House prices will temporarily go up in the the short term as a result of the Liberal-National coalition's proposed housing policy, the superannuation minister concedes.

But Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is campaigning in Brisbane ahead of this Saturday's federal election, says anyone opposing the plan is doing so because they don't see superannuation as people's own money to use as they want.

"It's your money, it's in your super, you earned it, you saved it," he said on 4BC radio on Monday.

"We want that to be able to help you get in your own home so you don't have to sit on the sidelines and watch house prices rise and run away from you."

Mr Morrison used the Liberal Party's official election campaign launch on Sunday to announce first home buyers will be able to access 40 per cent of their superannuation up to $50,000 to buy a house.

But Superannuation Minister Jane Hume said she expected there would be an increase in house prices.

"I would imagine that there would be a lot of people that bring forward their decision to buy a house so I would imagine in the short term you might see a bump in house prices," she told ABC Radio National on Monday.

"But that doesn't play out the long term benefits of more home ownership, fewer people relying on rent ... there are so many factors that play into the housing market."

Labor campaign spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said even Liberal stalwarts like John Howard, Peter Costello and Malcolm Turnbull opposed the policy in the past.

"You shouldn't have to choose between housing today and poverty in old age," she told the Seven Network on Monday.

"We know that this will push up housing prices, we know it'll mean people have less super to retire on."

Labor's plan to tackle housing affordability would involve a government "help to buy" scheme where the government would provide an equity contribution for 10,000 low income earners.

Campaign spokesman Jason Clare said the difference in Labor's plan was that it was a targeted measure.

The only winner in the government's proposed housing plan was the seller because prices would increase, he said on ABC News Breakfast.

Mr Morrison's policy includes a requirement for home owners to return the initial super amount withdrawn plus an equivalent proportion of the capital gain or loss when they eventually sell the house.

But the prime minister dodged questions about what would happen if the housing market crashed and people needed to sell at a loss, losing their super investment simultaneously.

Senator Hume said superannuation was about improving the standard of living in retirement and her former Liberal colleagues who criticised the plan wanted to hold young people back.

"Why is it always people that own their own house - who actually own pretty big houses - that object to young people who are getting an opportunity to get their first step," she said.

The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees said the coalition's plan would drive up house prices and undermine the core purpose of the super system.

"Using super as a deposit will drive up property prices, leaving Australians with higher debt and depleted retirement savings," AIST CEO Eva Scheerlinck said.

"Superannuation ... is not a piggy bank the government can open at its convenience to avoid dealing with the real systemic issues facing first home buyers."

Labor leader Anthony Albanese is campaigning in Perth.

© AAP 2022

Prime Minister Scott Morrison denies his government's housing policies will push up prices even after his superannuation minister said the proposed first home buyers plan could lead to an initial price bump.

Mr Morrison said the scheme, which allows first home owners to access some of their super for a deposit, would work in combination with separate announcements to increase housing supply.

"The number one issue that forces up housing prices in this country is insufficient supply and this policy with the downsizing policy, the HomeBuilder policy, have all been about increasing that supply," he told reporters in Ipswich.

Superannuation Minister Jane Hume earlier said there would be an increase in house prices.

"I would imagine that there would be a lot of people that bring forward their decision to buy a house so I would imagine in the short term you might see a bump in house prices," she told ABC Radio National on Monday.

"But that doesn't play out the long term benefits of more home ownership, fewer people relying on rent ... there are so many factors that play into the housing market."

Mr Morrison used the Liberal Party's official election campaign launch on Sunday to announce first home buyers will be able to access 40 per cent of their superannuation up to $50,000 to buy a house.

In addition, a re-elected coalition would expand a scheme to encourage older Australians to downsize and free up housing supply.

More than two million Australians have already cast their votes ahead of Saturday's federal election as the prime minister makes a last ditch effort to sway minds.

Campaigning in the Labor-held Queensland seat of Blair, Mr Morrison said anyone opposing his housing plan did so because they don't see superannuation as people's own money.

"Our plan is about putting Australians in charge of their future with their own money," he said.

"It's their money, we're not going to tell them what to do with it, they'll make their own decisions."

Yet Labor campaign spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said even Liberal stalwarts like John Howard, Peter Costello and Malcolm Turnbull opposed the policy in the past.

"You shouldn't have to choose between housing today and poverty in old age," she told the Seven Network on Monday.

Labor's plan to tackle housing affordability would involve a government "help to buy" scheme where the government would provide an equity contribution for 10,000 low income earners.

Campaign spokesman Jason Clare said the difference in Labor's plan was that it was a targeted measure.

The only winner in the government's proposed housing plan was the seller because prices would increase, he said on ABC News Breakfast.

Mr Morrison's policy includes a requirement for home owners to return the initial super amount withdrawn plus an equivalent proportion of the capital gain or loss when they eventually sell the house.

But the prime minister dodged questions about what would happen if the housing market crashed and people needed to sell at a loss, losing their super investment simultaneously.

The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees said the coalition's plan would drive up house prices and undermine the core purpose of the super system.

"Using super as a deposit will drive up property prices, leaving Australians with higher debt and depleted retirement savings," the institute's chief executive Eva Scheerlinck said.

"Superannuation ... is not a piggy bank the government can open at its convenience to avoid dealing with the real systemic issues facing first home buyers."

Labor leader Anthony Albanese is campaigning in Perth.

© AAP 2022

Federal Labor has attacked the government's new policy allowing first-home buyers to dip into their superannuation to get into the housing market.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison used the Liberal Party's official election campaign launch on Sunday to announce first home buyers will be able to access 40 per cent of their superannuation up to $50,000 to buy a house.

But Labor housing spokesperson Jason Clare said the policy would drive up prices and hurt young Australians, after the former prime minister and super architect Paul Keating called it a "full-frontal assault" on the system.

Mr Clare branded the policy "a last desperate act from a dying government".

"This would be like adding kerosene to a fire. Their super will supercharge the property prices," he said.

"You shouldn't have to raid your super to buy a home."

Mr Clare also raised past opposition to similar schemes by Liberal stalwarts John Howard and Peter Costello as well as Malcolm Turnbull and Mathias Cormann.

"John Howard said super is for retirement, and he's right," Mr Clare said.

"That last great generation of Liberal leaders who could count - Howard, Costello, Turnbull, Cormann - have all reached the conclusion that this policy won't work."

Mr Morrison said the policy would put Australians in charge of their own superannuation and give people retirement security.

"The evidence shows that the best thing we can do to help Australians achieve financial security in their retirement is to help them own their own home," he said.

Homeowners would then return the initial super amount withdrawn plus an equivalent proportion of the capital gain or loss when they eventually sell the house.

"This will responsibly ensure that the majority of your super remains in your existing fund and maintains the diversification of your savings," Mr Morrison said.

"But this will be a game-changer for thousands of Australian families who sit and look at that money on their balance and go, 'if only I had that to help me now'."

The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees said the coalition's plan would drive up house prices and undermine the core purpose of the super system.

"Using super as a deposit will drive up property prices, leaving Australians with higher debt and depleted retirement savings," AIST CEO Eva Scheerlinck said.

"Superannuation ... is not a piggy bank the government can open at its convenience to avoid dealing with the real systemic issues facing first home buyers."

A McKell Institute report points to a $45,352 increase in the median house price in Sydney and by almost $100,000 in Brisbane, under the policy.

But Master Builders Australia backed the policy, saying it was aligned with the "intent" of superannuation, which was to provide income in retirement.

"People who own their home, particularly in retirement, are significantly more secure financially than those who do not. They enjoy a higher standard of living," CEO Denita Wawn said.

© AAP 2022

New details have emerged of the crash that claimed the life of Australian cricket legend Andrew Symonds.

The former Test and limited-overs star died on Saturday night when his car left the road and rolled in Hervey Range, about 50km from Townsville.

Waylon Townson tried to save Symonds after hearing the crash and rushing to the scene.

"He was stuck in there, so I tried to pull him out," Townson told 9News.

"(I) started doing CPR and checked his pulse but I didn't get much response."

Symonds was travelling with his two dogs, and they reportedly didn't want to leave his side after the crash.

Former teammates and rivals alike paid tribute to Symonds once the news of his death was made public.

"If Roy shook your hand you had his word, that's the sort of bloke he was and that's why I always wanted him on my team," former Australia Test captain Ricky Ponting said.

"An extraordinary player and even better human being. Can't believe he's gone. Thoughts are with his family at this time."

Adam Gilchrist tweeted: "I miss him so much ... already. Really hurting. Rest easy Royman.

"Think of your most loyal, fun, loving friend who would do anything for you. That's Roy."

Even Symonds' former arch nemesis Harbhajan Singh paid tribute.

Symonds accused Harbhajan of calling him a monkey during a fiery Test at the SCG in 2008, but the pair later made peace.

"Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Andrew Symonds. Gone too soon," Harbhajan tweeted.

"Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. Prayers for the departed soul."

Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who was a teammate of Symonds at Mumbai Indians in 2011, was struggling to process his death.

"Today I have lost my closest man," he tweeted.

"You were just not a colleague. My family, my man, My Symonds uncle. I will miss you terribly."

Indian great Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: "Andrew Symonds' demise is shocking news for all of us to absorb.

"Not only was he a brilliant all-rounder, but also a live-wire on the field.

"I have fond memories of the time we spent together in Mumbai Indians. May his soul rest in peace, condolences to his family & friends."

Symonds' death comes soon after the passing of Australian cricket legends Shane Warne and Rod Marsh.

© AAP 2022