Original article by David Crowe
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 25-Aug-16

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has signalled that the Australian Labor Party is prepared to support proposed superannuation reforms if the Federal Government agrees to further compromises. Labor wants the lifetime cap on non-concessional contributions to apply from 2016 rather than 2007. It will also push for the threshold for an increase in the contributions tax to be reduced to $A200,000 rather than $A250,000 as proposed by the Government. At present, people earning at least $A300,000 a year pay a contributions tax of 30 per cent instead of 15 per cent.

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

Original article by Michael Roddan
The Australian – Page: 6 : 24-Aug-16

Data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority shows that personal contributions to superannuation funds fell by 11.3 per cent, or $A811m, in the June 2016 quarter. The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia’s acting CEO Jim Minto says the figures could indicate that confidence in the super system has been undermined by the uncertainty surrounding the Federal Government’s proposed super reforms.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN PRUDENTIAL REGULATION AUTHORITY, THE ASSOCIATION OF SUPERANNUATION FUNDS OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, FINANCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL, AMP LIMITED – ASX AMP, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 8 : 19-Aug-16

The Australian Government may make further changes to its proposed lifetime cap on non-concessional superannuation contributions. Treasurer Scott Morrison is considering options such as lifting the proposed cap from $A500,000 to $A750,000 or leaving it unchanged but not backdating it to 2007. Meanwhile, Morrison has stressed that inheritances or lottery wins will not be regarded as "life events" that will qualify for an exemption from the lifetime cap. H has also ruled out any changes to the policy on limiting retirement balance transfers to $A1.6m.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY

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

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