“Kevin Rudd and Wayne Swan are still dancing to the tune of the unions and are refusing to rule out restoring the 15% end tax on super payouts,” the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer, Peter Dutton said today.
“After 10 days Kevin Rudd is still considering the ridiculous suggestion by ALP unionist Doug Cameron to reintroduce the 15% end tax on superannuation pensions and payouts, which the Howard Government has just abolished," Mr Dutton said.
"In a half hearted attempt to prove he is a friend of business, particularly in Western Australia, Mr Rudd has tried to distance himself from the unions and their call for a new tax on mining.”
“However, Mr Rudd remains silent on the union proposal to restore the end tax on super.”
“At a time when Labor are desperately trying to establish their economic credentials and plans for the future, it is unbelievable that they cannot rule out the re-introduction of the 15% tax.”
“Mr Swan had an opportunity again this morning to rule out the return of the end-tax but chose not to. Instead, all he offered were vague, uncosted promises on making people contribute more out of their own pocket.”
“Australian workers and the trillion dollar superannuation industry are right to question Labor’s complacency on this issue and their economic plans for the future.”
"We are on the eve of June 30 and people are making superannuation investment decisions right now, based on what they thought was Labor’s support for the abolition of the end-tax."
"This is an economic ‘no-brainer’ Mr Rudd.”
“Ageing of the population is a serious threat to the economy over the next two or three decades. That is why the Government simplified super and abolished the 15% end tax - to help people adequately provide for their own retirement.”
"Mr Rudd is putting himself up as an alternative Prime Minister, but his prolonged silence on the tax on super just shows how indecisive and under the control of the unions he really is.”
"Australia can't afford another Keating style Labor Government dictated to by the unions. Mr Rudd’s lack of economic management would mean promotion of union economic theory - which has always damaged the Australian economy."
“In a Rudd Labor Government, sitting around the Cabinet table you would have Crean, Ferguson (x2), Garrett, Gillard, Carr, McMullan and more. All union devotees. If Mr Rudd can't stand up to the unions, does anyone seriously think his Cabinet of former union leaders would put the interests of the economy ahead of their union backers?”
"Mr Rudd would mean a return to the Labor days of high interest rates and people out of work,” Mr Dutton said.