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Video footage has emerged showing a 22-year-old Joe Hockey protesting university fees introduced under Labor in 1987.
The Channel Nine report, that resurfaced on Fairfax Media, shows angry students protesting the introduction of a $250 administration fee.
A 22-year-old Joe Hockey - then studying arts and law at the University of Sydney - emerged as a spokesperson for the group, telling media they would not stand for it.
"We will continue to go out onto the streets and to protest, and actively encourage the public to support us in our campaign for free education," he said.
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Mr Hockey was coming out in defence of universal free higher education, which was available at that time.
When asked about his activism in an interview last week, the treasurer said they were different times.
"At the time that was the first introduction of university fees, and at that time there was no HECS or Helpers as it's now known," he told Channel Ten.
"So we obviously were concerned about the fact we were paying fees upfront which no student has to do now."
When the report was filmed in March 1987, Joe Hockey was the president of the Sydney University Student Representative Council.
Today, the treasurer is facing increasing pressure over proposed changes to higher education under the 2014 federal budget.
Protests have taken place at universities around the country in recent weeks, with many students angry about proposed fee-deregulation.
But Mr Hockey told Channel Ten his activist days were behind him.
"I must say, there were memories that came back with some of the student protests that I saw on TV today, but you know what, in your 20s, you're always prepared to complain, but in your 40s, you have to explain," he said.
