27 May 2011

Seniors back Coalition moves to abolish super age limit

Older Australians are backing a bill to abolish the superannuation guarantee age limit, introduced by the Coalition and debated for the second time in federal parliament yesterday.

Currently, employers are only required to pay superannuation towards employees aged up to 70.

During the 2010 federal election campaign Labor promised to raise that age to 75. However, in a counter move, shadow Ageing Minister Bronwyn Bishop introduced a bill in February to abolish the age limit altogether.

Yesterday debate on the bill was adjourned after the Government claimed it was unconstitutional.

National Seniors chief executive Michael O’Neill said the Government's constitutional argument was of little interest to older Australians.

“If the Gillard Government was serious about eliminating ageism it must lead by example and abolish the superannuation guarantee age limit,” he said.

“Seniors are getting mixed messages: on one hand they’re being told to work longer, and, on the other, that at a certain age the guarantee of super extended to every other Australian no longer applies to them”.

“If the government doesn’t have the political will to take this legislation over the line, then they need to make clear what their real intentions are about acting to end age discrimination.

“Australia’s very first dedicated age discrimination commissioner is due to take office in July. Age limits on everything from superannuation to workers compensation must be at the top of his or her “to do” list,” said O’Neill.

Michael is available for comment

Media contact: Sarah Saunders 0409 055 156

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With a quarter of a million members Australia-wide, National Seniors is the consumer lobby for the over 50s. It is the fourth largest organisation of its type in the world.