News
Superannuation & retirement
Super changes signal yet another attack on working people
11 October 2017
The changes to industry super proposed by the Turnbull Government will mean less money and more exploitation for working people. The changes – which include replacing union representatives with former executives on boards and subjecting industry super to a harsher regulatory regime than the big banks have to navigate –…
Following two major ASU surveys about retirement security, what we learned demanded further study and the search for solutions. Today we are proud to launch the report: “Not So Super, For Women: Superannuation and Women’s Retirement Outcomes”, in collaboration with progressive think tank Per Capita. The report confirms our findings,…
This month the Senate Committee inquiring into gender segregation in the workplace and its impact on women's economic equality released its report. The ASU lodged a submission to the Inquiry and also appeared at hearings with members providing evidence. We are pleased that a number of the remedies we put…
Poverty & hardship in retirement was not what we bargained for
17 November 2016
On Day Two of ASU National Conference 2016 the plenary and workshops sessions on "Superannuation for Women and Low Income Earners" provided some disturbing details of the plight of many ASU members and other workers across the country. When unions campaigned for and won universal superannuation our intention was that…
Everyone deserves to have a comfortable retirement and yet on average women retire with less than half the superannuation that men retire on. We’re seeking assistance from ASU members and supporters in our campaign to close this devastating superannuation gap that sees so many Australians facing financial insecurity and poverty…
Last year the ASU conducted a broad ranging survey on financial insecurity in retirement. We presented a snapshot of some of our findings in our submission to the Senate Inquiry into economic security for women in retirement and appeared at the Senate hearing. We left the politicians in no doubt…
A not-so-taxing time for the rich
26 February 2016
The Australian tax system is tangled up in a web of subsidies, exemptions and arrangements that unfairly advantage the top 10 per cent of income earners, do nothing to drive innovation or productivity growth and hold us back from investing in nation-building. Capital gains tax exemptions, superannuation tax breaks, negative…
More broken promises from Turnbull Government: cuts to superannuation will leave us working longer
05 February 2016
The Australian Council of Trade Unions today raised deep concern about reports the Government is planning to take an axe to superannuation, leaving millions of Australians working well into their 70s. ACTU President Ged Kearney said the increase in superannuation to 12.5 per cent was always designed to ensure working…
Policy changes needed to address discrimination leading to disproportionate number of women in poverty & hardship in retirement
11 December 2015
The ASU recently lodged a submission to the Senate Inquiry into the economic security of women in retirement. Our findings, following a major survey of our members and supporters, leave no doubt that major policy changes are required to prevent large numbers of women and their families from experiencing the…
Common sense review of super rules welcome
03 December 2015
The ACTU and ASU welcome the establishment of a review of not for profit superannuation governance. We are especially pleased that the review will be conducted by former RBA Governor, Bernie Fraser who is the public face of industry super in Australia and brings a deep understanding of the sector…