13 August 2006

Beazley Delivers Insults But Still Silent On Superannuation

96 days have now passed since the Federal Budget and still Kim Beazley and Labor are unable to tell Australians whether or not they will support the most dynamic reforms to superannuation in Australia’s history.

With the first week back in Parliament, Mr Beazley had the perfect opportunity to finally tell Australians where he stands on superannuation.

Rather than having the leadership fortitude to back the Government’s reforms, Kim Beazley chose to spout insults on national television outside the doors of Parliament.

Mr Beazley could have used the opportunity to tell Australians whether or not Labor supports:

  • abolishing end benefits tax on superannuation;
  • abolishing reasonable benefits limits;
  • extending the co-contribution scheme to the self employed; and
  • halving the age pension assets test taper rate to $1.50 per fortnight from 20 September 2007.

The Government has received more than 1500 written submissions and more than 3500 phone calls as part of the public consultation on the superannuation reforms but nothing from Labor.

If thousands of other stakeholders can outline their position on super, why can’t Labor?

If Kim Beazley wants to show himself as the alternate leader of this country, he should stop playing school yard politics and actually make the stand to back the Government’s reforms.