Unlike most other investments, including Superannuation, property isn't a form of "forced saving" but instead is a method of using home equity, rental income and Tax deductions to acquire and hold an asset that has proven to be resilient to recessions and other economic and political changes and has provided consistent long term growth. Growth that the average income earner could not accumulate over a lifetime from normal after tax savings.
It is your equity and the Tax system working for you rather than you working for them.
COMMON SENSE SAYS:
Because residential property consistently grows in value, all be it often slowly, anyone who is serious about investment should build a property portfolio before they invest in more volitile investments.
That way you can take advantage of possible higher short term returns in other investments without risking everything.
It provides an investment base from which to build other investments.