February 5, 2010

The Prime Minister was reminded by 3AW presenter Neil Mitchell of his election pledge not to change superannuation arrangements.  This was Mr Rudd’s reply:

RUDD: We said prior to the election that we would keep existing superannuation arrangements…

MITCHELL: But you changed it?

RUDD: Ah hang on, if we make any changes, if, and they would be subject to what people said at the next election, they wouldn’t come in before then.

Mr Rudd went on to say: “These things affect people fundamentally. That’s why Neil you have got to be absolutely straight up and down with people about what you are going to do and then take it to the Australian people if you are going to make any substantive changes.”

Mr Hartsuyker said:  “The fact is that in the 2009 Budget, Kevin Rudd clashed $4bn from superannuation and cut the Superannuation Co-contribution Scheme for low and middle-income earners. The fact is that he promised before the election there would be no changes.  This is what he told Radio 4BC on 12 November, 2007 – ‘Absolutely not.  There will be no change to the superannuation laws one jot, one tiddle. ‘

“First he breaks an election promise on a matter he says is fundamental.  Then he tries to pretend he hasn’t made any cuts  in superannuation at all. We’ve known since he was elected that election promises, like fixing the health system, mean nothing to him.  Now he appears to have lost his grip on reality and is trying to deny his own Budget measures.”