Liberal senator Cory Bernardi has slammed Treasurer Joe Hockey's proposal to allow younger people early access to their super to buy their first homes as lazy economics and says the government has no role in sorting out the financial problems of those unwilling to do the hard yards and save.

Mr Hockey has called for a national debate on the idea of allowing young people to use their superannuation for a home deposit because he believes it could be one way of addressing concerns about housing affordability. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has described the idea as "perfectly good and respectable" but cautioned the government has no plans to introduce it.

Senator Cory Bernardi Credit:Harrison Saragossi

The policy has some support in the party room but senior Liberals including Peter Costello, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Collins and the former the architect of Australia's compulsory superannuation system former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating have all rubbished the proposal.

In an unusual alliance, Senator Bernardi said he agreed with Mr Turnbull on the matter and said super for was for retirement and not for raiding.