New figures released by Bill Shorten show 20,800 workers in Maribyrnong will be slugged by Tony Abbott’s plan to reimpose a 15% superannuation tax on low income and part-time workers.

The figures released today also reveal that shop assistants, waiters, bartenders and cleaners will be hardest hit.

Bill Shorten said an average of 57 percent of all food preparation assistants and 53 percent of all checkout operators would also be worse off.

“Tony Abbott’s super tax slug plan will slash the retirement savings of 20,800 low-income workers in our local area – the majority of whom are women, Mr Shorten said.

“Disturbingly, the figures show about a third of hospitality and childcare workers, and about a quarter of electricians in our community will suffer from the Coalition policy.

“This is a targeted attack on some of the poorest people in my electorate, whose retirement savings are now not assured.”

“Labor has been the champion of superannuation for over 20 years, since we first introduced it,” Mr Shorten said.

“The Federal Labor Government is focused on ensuring our policies see that hard working Australians have enough to retire on, particularly those on low-incomes or part-time workers.

“In contrast, Mr Abbott’s plan is to rip away up to $500 from the hands of those Australians who need it most. 

Mr Shorten said the Low Income Superannuation Contribution (LISC) delivers up to $500 into the superannuation accounts of 3.6 million Australians earning up to $37,000 a year.

According to the latest figures 2.2 million or 60 per cent of those low income earners are women.

“Women are already retiring with less in their super accounts because of the disparity in their pay compared to men,” Mr Shorten said.

“Women who also take time out of the workforce to have children are impacted by lower superannuation savings.

“This unfair Liberal policy would mean women will have less super in their retirement.

“I’d rather see $4 billion go into the super accounts of local retail and hospitality workers or cleaners and receptionists than into Tony Abbott’s pocket.”

Mr Shorten said the Opposition Leader has promised to rip up to $500 from 218,850 retail workers, 145,999 checkout operators and 93,495 kitchen hands across the country. [Full list attached below].

“The Liberals have opposed super on every level – from its introduction to any increase ever proposed or delivered.

“This newest attack by Tony Abbott just shows Labor is the only Party willing to stick up for superannuation.”

The Labor Government will begin to increase the universal superannuation contribution from 9 to 12 percent from 1 July 2013. 

ENDS

Contact: Jayne Edwards 9326 1300 / 0410 455 737