Lisa Wilkinson slammed for being ‘out of touch’ after slamming first home policy

Lisa Wilkinson has grilled the government over the ‘financial pain’ their newest scheme, which allows first home buyers to use their superannuation to put towards a deposit for a home, will cause.  

The TV host spoke to Superannuation Minister Jane Hume about the government’s Super Home Buyer scheme on The Project on Sunday and examined whether it was an advisable path to home ownership. 

‘Super is meant for retirement. Is it really responsible to encourage young Aussies to go for short-term gain when they could end up with long-term financial pain,’ she said to the Liberal Senator.

Senator Hume argued that the scheme would actually help young Australians in the long term, stating that home ownership provides financial security later in life.

‘One of the greatest indicators of economic security in retirement is whether you own your own home,’ she responded to Wilkinson’s claims.

‘Moreover, this policy allows you to take money out of superannuation now to help you buy that first home but, when you sell the home, you put the money back into superannuation, plus any capital gains.’

Senator Hume asserted that the policy would allow people to own a home and subsequently ‘save money’ for retirement. 

‘Moreover, when you buy your first home, it creates a stability, it creates certainty and economic security during your working life,’ she explained later on in the interview. 

‘It improves your quality of life during your working life. But because it goes back into super at the end when you sell the home, you’re also improving your standard of living, your economic security, and your retired life as well.’

Under the scheme, first home buyers can use up to 40 per cent of their superannuation, up to $50,000, to put towards their first home.  

Wilkinson spoke to Superannuation Minister Jane Hume (pictured) about the government’s scheme on The Project on Sunday and examined whether it was an advisable path to home ownership

The Super Home Buyer scheme allows prospective home buyers to use 40 per cent of their superannuation, up to $50,000, towards their first home. Stock image

In light of Senator Hume’s claim,’ Wilkinson later tweeted: ‘The PM says 1st homebuyers could raid their super $50k. They’d have to repay when the house sold + cap gains.’

‘But compound interest lost on $50k is staggering & hurt women most who retire with 40% less super due to pay gaps & child-rearing career breaks…’ 

Lisa’s comments about government scheme has been questioned online, with many labelling the former Today Show host ‘out of touch’ due to the fact she has resided in mansions in affluent suburbs for the last 29 years.

‘Lisa lives in her mansion in Mosman, she can’t relate,’ said one Twitter user.

‘Lisa Wilkinson is not qualified to give financial advice,’ commented another.

A third wrote: ‘Lisa Wilkinson … with harbourside mansion … oh dear another one with irrelevance syndrome.’

‘Coming from someone in a mansion… clueless,’ added another.

Lisa currently lives with her husband, author and journalist Peter FitzSimons, in a multi-million dollar home in Cremorne.

They previously owned a a five bedroom, three bathroom mansion in Mosman with harbour views.

The Project host’s stance over the government scheme has been questioned online, with many labelling the former Today Show host ‘out of touch’ due to the fact she has resided in mansions in affluent suburbs for the last 29 years. (Pictured: Lisa’s former home in Mosman)