POLITICAL PARTIES – AUSTRALIA – PLATFORMS

Morrison warns super rebels on backing rich

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Phillip Coorey, Sally Patten
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 28-Jul-16

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison says people who have already exceeded the proposed $A500,000 lifetime cap on non-concessional superannuation contributions stand to benefit the most if the reform is scrapped. Morrison has also warned that unless the Government’s super reforms proceed and spending is reduced, the nation will face higher taxes, a bigger Budget deficit and a blowout in public debt. The Government may agree to exempt certain "life events" from the lifetime cap.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, LIBERAL-NATIONAL PARTY OF QUEENSLAND, THE ASSOCIATION OF SUPERANNUATION FUNDS OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN PRUDENTIAL REGULATION AUTHORITY

Draft super laws to be released before parliament sits

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by David Crowe
The Australian – Page: 1 & 5 : 22-Jul-16

The Australian Government will release draft legislation for its proposed superannuation reforms prior to the resumption of Parliament on 30 August 2016. It will also consult with industry experts before the legislation is presented to the Coaltion’s party-room. The draft legislation is expected to largely reflect the super policies outlined in the May 2016 Budget. Treasurer Scott Morrison will resist efforts to drop measures such as the life-time cap on non-concessional contributions, but some crossbenchers argue that the policies that were taken to the federal election should be put before Parliament.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FINANCE, INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS LIMITED

Labor to reject mandate on IR

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Joe Kelly
The Australian – Page: 4 : 21-Jul-16

The Australian Government continues to be criticised over its failure to respond to the Productivity Commission’s review of industrial relations laws. The Opposition argues that the Coalition does not have a mandate to pursue workplace reforms during its second term in office as it did not respond to the report prior to the 2016 election. The report, which was released in late 2015, makes 70 recommendations on changes to workplace laws. Business groups have urged the Coalition to pursue IR reforms.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT, THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY GROUP, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, VICTORIA. COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY

Super fix comes at cost

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 21-Jul-16

The Australian Government will allow exemptions to its proposed $A500,000 lifetime cap on non-concessional superannuation contributions, to take into account "life events" such as a divorce settlement or an inheritance. The cap had been expected to generate Budget savings of about $A550m over four years, but some estimates have suggested that the exemptions could potentially cost between $A300m and $A450m. Meanwhile, shadow treasurer Chris Bowen has stressed that any super reforms must not be retrospective. The Government plans to backdate the lifetime cap to 2007.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, FINANCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

Crossbench spurns super tax hike

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by David Crowe
The Australian – Page: 4 : 20-Jul-16

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has signalled that the Coalition is open to some changes to its proposed superannuation reforms, amid unrest within its own ranks. Allowing exemptions to the lifetime cap on non-concessional contributions is believed to be under consideration. Meanwhile, the Opposition and the Greens have both indicated that they are open to negotiation regarding the super reforms, although Senator-elect Derryn Hinch says Turnbull must put the election policy reforms to parliament rather than bow to pressure from backbenchers.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, FINANCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL, NICK XENOPHON TEAM

Actuaries back $500,000 cap and call for government to push package

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Sally Rose
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 5 : 19-Jul-16

Guy Thornburn of Mercer says the Federal Government’s proposed superannuation reforms will make the system fairer and more flexible. He adds that the proposal to impose a lifetime cap of $A500,000 on non-concessional contributions is "reasonable" in the context of the broader super reforms, although he suggests that it could be backdated by just three years rather than to 2007. Lance Cunningham of BDO says the cap should be a minimum of $A1m.

CORPORATES
MERCER INVESTMENTS PTY LTD, BDO AUSTRALIA LIMITED, RICE WARNER ACTUARIES PTY LTD

PM bends to revolt over super

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Laura Tingle
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 18-Jul-16

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has indicated that he may be open to changes to the Coalition’s superannuation reforms. The proposed changes will be discussed at the Coalition’s party room meeting on 18 July, with some backbenchers seeking a compromise on policies such as the $A500,000 lifetime cap on non-concessional contributions. Senator Nick Xenophon says the government must reconsider the lifetime cap and limiting concessional contributions to $A25,000 a year, arguing that they will not be approved by either the Senate or the Coalition’s own party room.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NICK XENOPHON TEAM, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN GREENS

Concern rises over proposed super ceiling

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Sally Patten, Joanna Mather
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 15-Jul-16

The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees has warned that the Federal Government’s proposed lifetime cap on non-concessional superannuation contributions could be difficult and costly for the industry to implement. It has suggested that capping annual contributions at $A50,000 would be easier for super funds to administer. The AIST has also expressed concern about the impact that reducing the cap on pre-tax contributions would have on older super fund members.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SUPERANNUATION TRUSTEES, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, FINANCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL, AUSTRALIANSUPER PTY LTD, THE ASSOCIATION OF SUPERANNUATION FUNDS OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, INDUSTRY SUPER AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, SAVE OUR SUPER

PM steeled for Senate showdown

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by David Crowe
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 14-Jul-16

The Federal Government will negotiate with crossbenchers on key election policies such as company tax cuts, but Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has conceded that some compromises will be necessary. However, the Greens have signalled that they will oppose some of the proposed tax reforms, while Nick Xenophon says ensuring the future of Arrium and manufacturing jobs should take precedence over company tax cuts. Meanwhile, some Coalition MPs are pushing for changes to the Government’s superannuation reforms.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, NICK XENOPHON TEAM, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, INDUSTRY SUPER AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, CROSBY TEXTOR RESEARCH STRATEGIES RESULTS PTY LTD

PM stares down backbench revolt on super reforms

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by David Crowe
The Australian – Page: 1 & 5 : 13-Jul-16

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is resisting a push within the Coalition’s ranks to revise some elements of its superannuation reforms. The issue will be on the agenda of the party-room meeting on 18 July, with the proposed lifetime cap on non-concessional super contributions in particular a focus for Coalition MPs who want changes to the super policy. Meanwhile, the Australian Labor Party has given indications that it may support the lifetime cap if is not applied retrospectively.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE, LIBERAL-NATIONAL PARTY OF QUEENSLAND, STANDARD AND POOR’S CORPORATION, MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE INCORPORATED