LOCAL RETAIL & HOSPITALITY WORKERS HARDEST HIT BY ABBOTT’S NEW SUPER TAX SLUG

New figures released by Joel Fitzgibbon show that around 24,000workers in Hunter 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.
Mr Fitzgibbon 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 low-incomeworkers in our local area – the majority of whom are women, Mr Fitzgibbon 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.”
Mr Fitzgibbon also revealed the following postcodes in Hunter will be the worst hit by the Coalition’s retrograde, policy: 2320 Maitland West, 2331 Maitland East, 2325 Cessnock, 2330 Singleton and 2333 Muswellbrook.
“Labor has been the champion of superannuation for over 20 years, since we first introduced it,” Mr Fitzgibbon 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 Fitzgibbon 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 Fitzgibbon 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 around 16,000 women in our area 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 Fitzgibbon 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.
 

OCCUPATION

NUMBER AFFECTED   (AUS- WIDE)

%*

1

Sales Assistants and   Salespersons

218,850

45%

2

Checkout Operators and Office   Cashiers

145,999

53%

3

Food Preparation Assistants

93,495

57%

4

Hospitality Workers

89,722

35%

5

Cleaners and Laundry Workers

83,167

35%

6

Receptionists

57,696

32%

7

General Clerks

46,703

17%

8

Miscellaneous Labourers

42,931

28%

9

Packers and Product Assemblers

41,702

33%

10

Food Trades Workers

40,405

35%

11

Child Carers

36,988

36%

12

Freight Handlers and Shelf   Fillers

32,640

37%

13

Personal Carers and Assistants

29,498

12%

14

Electricians

25,622

27%

15

Farm, Forestry and Garden   Workers

25,285

45%

16

Bricklayers, and Carpenters and Joiners

25,107

35%

17

Food Process Workers

24,144

29%

18

Accounting Clerks and   Bookkeepers

21,968

11%

19

Automotive Electricians and   Mechanics

20,323

21%

20

Storepersons

18,550

18%


Be the first to comment

Please check your e-mail for a link to activate your account.