News
Julie Bishop caught out when quizzed on super
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop suffered a self-confessed “gotcha moment” when quizzed on superannuation in an interview with 3AW’s Neil Mitchell yesterday.
Mr Mitchell asked Ms Bishop to explain the government’s transition to retirement scheme, to which she responded: “Well I am certainly aware that we have one, yeah.”
"Well Neil this is obviously a gotcha moment… it's not my portfolio," the Foreign Minister added.
The scheme allows workers to supplement their salary with super before retirement, but changes flagged in the May budget suggest that from July 2017, earnings on assets supporting workers’ transitions will be subject to a higher tax rate.
This is the second time a senior government minister has struggled to explain the Coalition’s Transition to Retirement scheme in an interview with Mr Mitchell, after MP Josh Frydenberg had a similar exchange with the radio host earlier this month.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull leapt to Foreign Minister’s defence in the wake of the on-air gaffe yesterday, describing super as a “notoriously complex” area when asked if it was acceptable that Ms Bishop could not explain the rules.
What do you think? Do you think Ms Bishop is in the wrong, or is it reasonable for her to not be across such a complex area?
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Video credit: YouTube / 3AW
Related links:
Why having a pet is SO good for you
Our Partners
