Published Wednesday, 25 April, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
BEATTIE GOVERNMENT ACTS ON SUPER CONCERNS
The federal Government has been called upon to guarantee that every complaint about unpaid superannuation is investigated.
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said recent media reports had again raised concerns regarding the level of compliance services undertaken by the Australian Taxation Office.
“In respect of the non-payment of superannuation contributions by employers on behalf of employees under the Commonwealth Government’s Superannuation Guarantee legislation, there can be no excuses whatsoever,” Mr Mickel said.
“That’s why I have written to the federal Treasurer seeking an assurance that every single complaint of non-payment will be investigated by the ATO.
“If employers are deceiving workers by showing superannuation contributions on payslips but never paying such contributions into a superannuation fund as required by the legislation then they should be dealt with promptly and to the full extent of the law.
“The Queensland Government wants the federal Government to guarantee that these rip offs are not continuing simply because it has not dedicated enough resources within the ATO.
“There can be no excuse for the ATO not pursuing complaints involving small monetary amounts. What might be small to the ATO and the federal Government could be of vital interest to a single income working family.
“This is just another rort workers have to endure – as well as the cuts in pay and conditions that occur under Work Choices.”
Mr Mickel said Queensland Government industrial inspectors referred complainants, who are deemed to have an entitlement under the Superannuation Guarantee, to the ATO for investigation in the first instance.
Media Contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349
April 25, 2007
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said recent media reports had again raised concerns regarding the level of compliance services undertaken by the Australian Taxation Office.
“In respect of the non-payment of superannuation contributions by employers on behalf of employees under the Commonwealth Government’s Superannuation Guarantee legislation, there can be no excuses whatsoever,” Mr Mickel said.
“That’s why I have written to the federal Treasurer seeking an assurance that every single complaint of non-payment will be investigated by the ATO.
“If employers are deceiving workers by showing superannuation contributions on payslips but never paying such contributions into a superannuation fund as required by the legislation then they should be dealt with promptly and to the full extent of the law.
“The Queensland Government wants the federal Government to guarantee that these rip offs are not continuing simply because it has not dedicated enough resources within the ATO.
“There can be no excuse for the ATO not pursuing complaints involving small monetary amounts. What might be small to the ATO and the federal Government could be of vital interest to a single income working family.
“This is just another rort workers have to endure – as well as the cuts in pay and conditions that occur under Work Choices.”
Mr Mickel said Queensland Government industrial inspectors referred complainants, who are deemed to have an entitlement under the Superannuation Guarantee, to the ATO for investigation in the first instance.
Media Contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349
April 25, 2007