The federal government's decision to appoint Medicare to manage the superannuation clearing house will be the subject of a senate inquiry, shadow minister for superannuation Luke Hartsuyker announced yesterday.
The senate has referred the bill to the senate economics committee.
In 2008, the government said it would provide funding to establish a superannuation clearing house for small businesses.
In November 2009, the government appointed Medicare as the preferred provider.
The decision has come under attack by the federal opposition.
In particular, the opposition has said that fully ASIC-licenced commercial clearing house alternatives exist and that the role of Medicare as a super clearing house will only divert resources from the health sector.
"The Rudd government's plan to implement a clearing house has involved delays, mismanagement and yet another broken promise," Hartsuyker said.
"Under the legislation, Medicare will have a competitive advantage over private clearing houses," he said.
"The senate inquiry will allow these issues to be discussed and will give Medicare an opportunity to answer questions about whether it is capable of handling the clearing house under the government's timeframe and budget."
The super clearing house is supposed to be implemented by July 2010.
