The Government has negotiated the passage of the Superannuation Surcharge Legislation through the Senate, foiling Labor's attempts to sabotage this initiative to make the superannuation system fairer.
The Bills were passed with the support of the Democrats with only minor, revenue neutral, amendments.
Labor have always opposed the Surcharge, they just haven't had the courage to admit it.
Everything they have done since the 1996 Budget announcement has been aimed at defeating the measure.
Today Labor finally showed their hand to the Australian people and voted against the Bills.
Senator Sherry's vote directly conflicts with that of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Beazley, who supported the Bills in the House of Representatives.
Labor voted to poke a $1.5 billion hole in last year's budget.
Labor voted to protect the current inequities of the superannuation system, and to protect the generous, inequitable superannuation concessions received by high income earners.
The Labor Party is not about fairness; it is not about equity. The Labor Party is protecting their own interests and the interests of their mates.
I suggest that Senator Sherry phone up his old colleagues at the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Union and ask them to go down to the shop floor and explain to the workers how Labor today have voted to attempt to ensure that low paid workers will continue to get a 5 % tax concession on super whilst their bosses receive a massive 32 % concession.
CANBERRA
12 May 1997
Contact: Richard King (06) 277 7360 or 0419 683 586