September 07, 2016
Government releases first round of super reform
Treasurer Scott Morrison insists contentious parts of his superannuation package were never going to be included in the first tranche of draft legislation.
He released for scrutiny on Wednesday the first part, which includes a measure enshrining into law the objective of superannuation - to provide income in retirement that substitutes or supplements the age pension.
KPMG head of wealth advisory Paul Howes believes that will enhance confidence and stability in the super system.
"It clarifies that superannuation is meant to help fund a person's retirement. It is not for unlimited wealth accumulation," Mr Howes said in a statement.
The draft laws also provide opportunity for older Australians to make contributions without being penalised and encourages low-income spouses to make contributions.
It introduces the low-income superannuation tax offset, which will ensure individuals do not pay more tax on their super contributions than on their take-home pay.
CPA Australia boss Alex Malley said those fairness measures were well overdue, but didn't contribute to improving the budget bottom line.
"If the other reforms don't pass or have to be significantly modified we could potentially find ourselves in an even worse fiscal position," Mr Malley told AAP.
"This is a strange approach to budget repair."
The legislation does not include the contentious $500,000 lifetime cap on after-tax super contributions that has copped flak from the Treasurer's own backbench.
But Mr Morrison says that was never going to be in the first round of reform, but welcomed the feedback he had received from colleagues on the issue.
"Consultations with colleagues has been in very good faith ... It has been a good opportunity to talk about some of the issues and concerns that have been raised," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
Labor's superannuation spokeswoman Katy Gallagher reiterated that the opposition supported a $500,000 cap that was prospective, not retrospective as she believes the government's plans are.
She complained the government had failed to engage with Labor on the issue.
"I would be reaching out to the other major party to seek agreement," she told reporters in Canberra.
"Superannuation ... doesn't deserve to become a political plaything."
This story first appeared on 9 News 4:35pm September 7, 2016.