Minister Bill Shorten today called on Tony Abbott to explain why he wants to cut superannuation and entitlements like penalty rates for waiters, bar staff and kitchen staff.

 Visiting trainees and apprentices at the Crown Melbourne Training Centre ‘Crown College’, Minister Shorten said around 6 in every 10 Food Preparation Assistants and nearly 4 in every 10 Hospitality Workers across Australia will be hit by Mr Abbott’s plan to cut the Low Income Superannuation Contribution.

 “According to 2010-11 data, over 93,000 kitchen hands and nearly 90,000 waiters and bar staff could be hit by Tony Abbott’s plan to take $500 from superannuation accounts.”

 “The Gillard Government is determined to ensure hard working Australians, like waiters, bar staff and kitchen hands, have enough to retire on at the end of their careers.”

 “These are also the Australians who disproportionately rely on penalty rates, overtime and other entitlements, guaranteed under the Fair Work system, to make ends meet.”

 “The Gillard Government is supporting the retirement savings and take home pay of waiters, bar staff and kitchen hands.”

 “Mr Abbott wants to cut them to the bone.”

 “Labor is committed to a better deal for hospitality workers. We want to ensure their superannuation and take home pay are protected from Tony Abbott’s vicious cuts.”

 The Low Income Superannuation Contribution (LISC) delivers up to $500 to the superannuation accounts of 3.6 million Australians, including 2.2 million women, earning up to $37,000 a year.