Labor’s spokesperson on superannuation, Senator Sherry, has been caught out deliberately misleading small business on Labor’s super policy. In his press release yesterday Senator Sherry said:
“Labor has made it clear on many occasions it will not be increasing 9% superannuation guarantee payments.”
This claim is completely contradicted by the ALP policy slipped onto Labor’s website this week, which explicitly states:
“…the 9% SG is insufficient to fund adequate retirement incomes for workers on average incomes. Labor believes that employers, employees and government will need to make a contribution to addressing this, and Labor will work over time to achieve a 15% contribution level.” ALP National Platform and Constitution 2007.
Senator Sherry’s denial is another example of Labor saying one thing to placate union bosses and the complete opposite to try and win small business votes.
Senator Sherry’s statement is a feeble attempt at deflecting attention for Labor’s shock announcement that ‘union sanctioned’ industry superfunds would be inserted into awards as the default fund for employees.
The information on Labor’s website states:
“Awards should contain not-for-profit funds as the default fund.” ALP National Platform and Constitution 2007.
As reported in the Australian Financial Review today, “industry funds – [which] tend to be run by unions and employer groups…”
If ever small business needed a reminder that the unions would be back in control if a Rudd/Gillard government was elected, this is it.