Minister Ellis disingenuous on superannuation for women

22/11/11

The failure of the Labor Government to include superannuation in its paid parental leave scheme shows that despite the rhetoric in Minister Ellis’ address to the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees and Women in Super Lunch, she does not want to genuinely address issues facing women.

The fact is that despite Labor’s spin, the Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme does not include any superannuation. By contrast, the Coalition’s Paid Parental Leave scheme includes super payments at a mandatory 9 per cent.

‘Including superannuation in a PPL Scheme is an important step to address the chronic disparity between male and female retirement incomes that Minister Ellis claims to understand so well,’ Senator Cash said. ‘The Government must match its rhetoric with action on women’s superannuation and match the Coalition by including super payments in their PPL scheme.’

‘In her speech, the Minister said that she understands the gravity of the super situation for women, and the lack of financial security they have, especially approaching middle‐age and heading into retirement,’ Senator Cash said. ‘It is therefore incumbent on her and on the Government to step up and admit the Coalition Paid Parental Leave scheme is better for women who leave the workforce to raise children.’

‘Minister Ellis cannot continue to claim the high moral ground on the issue of superannuation for women when the Government’s paid parental leave policy does not pay superannuation to women on maternity leave.’

‘In Senate question time today Minister Evans in answering a Dorothy Dix question accused the Coalition of not supporting real measures for women. What Minister Evans clearly fails to understand is that including superannuation in a paid parental leave scheme is a real measure that will make a difference to all women. This is a measure that the Government could support if it was serious about policy measures to support women. ‘

‘This is just another example of how Labor is all talk and no action.’