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Published: 29 May 2015
On the face of it, a bit of a stretch. But the similarities are there. You just have to look a bit deeper.
We all know working mums (like the Socceroos) have a tough time of it. We all know that the last thing working mums need is to have further obstacles put in front of them and the goals they have for themselves and their families (like the Socceroos).
But that’s exactly what the Federal Government is doing to working mums- it’s like FIFA putting the Socceroos in a Group of Death with Spain, the Netherlands, Chile. Unless the Federal Government changes its mind, working mums are gonna get hit by a kind of tax increase that will mean it’s harder for them to save for their retirement.
Just like a lot of superannuation, it can look super complicated. But really, it’s super simple- just watch this video. At the moment a lot of working mums (and other people that work part time or earn less than $37,000 per year) have their super account topped up each year through a tax rebate of up to $500. The top-up was introduced a few years ago because people got that working mums are already coming from behind, and don’t get the same perks that people on higher incomes get when it comes to super (through tax breaks on contributions and stuff). It was all about levelling out the super system. And it should be kept.
Scrapping the scheme (called the Low Income Super Contribution, or LISC) will leave working mums much worse off. Unlike with FIFA, we can all help re-level the playing field for Aussie working mums by getting the Federal Government to save the LISC. Just go to www.keepsuperfair.com.au
I reckon if anyone at the World Cup was likely to support progressive tax policy like the LISC, it would be the Dutch. Maybe they could cop a 2:1 rebate on any goals the Socceroos score tonight. Here’s hoping.
*The above material, whilst correct at the time of publication may include references or statements which are no longer current.