Brough reignites super debate

The Federal Election may be over but the Assistant Treasurer Mal Brough has indicated he has no intention of relaxing his approach to the Federal Opposition’s superannuation policy.

Brough this week called on the new Shadow Treasurer, Wayne Swan to revisit the superannuation manifesto the Australian Labor Party took to the election, arguing it would hit women in the retirement hip pocket.

He claimed this had been made clear by research released at last week’s Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia national conference which showed women had lower retirement incomes than men due to career and family choices.

Brough claimed that this situation was being exacerbated by the ALP’s opposition to a raft of Government measures including the superannuation co-contribution scheme, the removal of the eligibility work test and a lowering of the superannuation surcharge.

He said that Labor had to face up to the fact that its failed policies would punish and disadvantage women.

“If Labor is serious about gaining economic credibility the new Shadow Treasurer has to admit Labor’s mistakes and follow the Howard Government’s lead,” Brough said.

The comments reignited the heated exchanges between the Federal Government and the Opposition on all matters relating to retirement and superannuation in the lead up to the Federal Election in October.