SEARCH
The government has renewed its commitment to lift the super guarantee rate to 12 per cent without delay.
Speaking at an Industry Super Australia event, Superannuation Minister Jane Hume confirmed the government’s intention to proceed with lifting the super rate by 0.5 per cent increments each year until it reaches 12 per cent by 2025.
Asked to guarantee that the government won’t move to overturn future increases if re-elected next year, Ms Hume said “it can’t without opposition support, and it won’t be because it is already legislated”.
“It’s legislated, it’s done, it’s going ahead. We promised that ages ago and that promise hasn’t changed, the commitment hasn’t changed. It’s there,” she said.
Ms Hume also ruled out making parts of the increase optional.
“It’s not policy. It’s not something that we are considering,” she said.
ISA’s chief executive, Bernie Dean, welcomed Ms Hume’s reiteration.
“We welcome the Minister giving an ironclad commitment that a re-elected coalition government would not alter the super guarantee increase in any way,” Mr Dean said.
Joining Ms Hume at the event, Labor’s financial services spokesman Stephen Jones voiced his scepticism, noting that while the super guarantee was legislated back in 2012, it was frozen for the best part of a decade.
“Labor for its part will say to the Australian people we are 100 per cent committed to ensuring that in every July, between now and 2025, your superannuation contributions will go up by 0.5 per cent of your pay,” Mr Jones said.
The legislation foreseeing an increase in the superannuation guarantee to 12 per cent was passed by the Gillard government in 2012 but was put on ice in 2014. It wasn't until 1 July this year that the rate eventually received a 0.5 per cent bump to 10 per cent.
Maja's career in journalism spans well over a decade across finance, business and politics. Now an experienced editor and reporter across all elements of the financial services sector, prior to joining Momentum Media, Maja reported for several established news outlets in Southeast Europe, scrutinising key processes in post-conflict societies.
While other sectors recorded improvements in the quality of customer interactions, the super sector remained flat. ...
A total of 13 super funds failed the inaugural performance test in 2021. ...
Less than half of Australians believe their superannuation alone will be able to provide them with a comfortable retirement, according to a...
Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
iscover
Read More
