Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you and I thank the Prime Minister for granting leave. I move:

That the House condemns the Prime Minister for:

(1) violating the trust of the Australian people;

(2) raiding the hard-earned retirement incomes of working Australians to pay for his broken promises;

(3) abandoning a promise he has made at least 14 times not to make any adverse changes to superannuation;

(4) freezing the increase to the Superannuation Guarantee which will cut the retirement incomes of all working Australians;

(5) abolishing the Low Income Superannuation Contribution which will make it harder for low income earners to save for retirement;

(6) mortgaging the future retirements of working people because of his Government's dishonesty; and

(7) repeatedly breaking his promise not to do deals with minor parties and independents.

We have seen today, and Australians waking up today have learnt, the devastating news that there has been a disgraceful, destructive and dishonest attack to freeze their superannuation. Australians have woken up to find out that there has been a dirty, devious backroom deal to deny millions a decent retirement income. This deal has been done and the arch culprit is the most out of touch Prime Minister since the top hat-wearing Stanley Bruce. This Prime Minister says in answer to the first question in question time, 'There have been no adverse changes'—remembered his weasel words, 'There will be no negative adverse changes to people's superannuation accounts.' He did not say it once, he did not say it twice, he lied on 14 occasions about this matter. A new land-speed record for a duplicitous government. And that dilemma is—

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