Anthony Albanese has downplayed revelations his office sought a Treasury briefing on upcoming laws to increase taxes on large super balances.
A Senate estimates hearing on Thursday was told the prime minister’s office had asked for a briefing on laws to put a tax on super balances above $3 million.
The briefing was sought following concern from stakeholder groups over the policy, which had been floated in 2023 but has not been introduced to parliament.
“There have been some conversations with the prime minister’s office. It’s probably not unusual for that to occur from time to time,” Treasury official Diane Brown told the estimates hearing.
“It remains unlegislated, and so stakeholders continue to raise questions about the bill.”
The prime minister said the request for a briefing about the policy was standard for incoming reform.
“We receive briefings on policy all the time, as you expect the prime minister’s office to do. That’s what we do,” he told reporters in Brisbane on Friday.
“There’s nothing unusual about that, that’s what occurs right across the full suite of policy issues.
“Ask me about any policy, and I’ll tell you I’ve had a briefing, including housing, including everything else.”
Mr Albanese said it was not a concern that groups had raised issues with the super tax changes.
“People will raise policy issues from time to time. It’s called public discourse in this great democracy of ours.”
“My government makes no apologies for the fact that we’re engaged with people. That’s what we do.”
The coalition have come out against the policy, while the Greens have called for the threshold to be lowered to $2 million.
Labor would need the support of either party to pass through the super tax changes.
Independent MP Nicolette Boele said the tax system needed to be made fairer, but consultation on the reform was needed.
“People have been planning for decades for how they save for retirement and structure those investments,” she told ABC Radio.
“Any changes that are made to super need to be considered and provide savers, like people looking to retire, with plenty of warning.”
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