After much speculation in recent weeks that the Government may impose new taxes on super withdrawals, there was a sigh of relief from many older superannuants when the Prime Minister ruled out taxing people over 60 years of age. It is interesting to check the Hansard for 6 February 2013 to see what Julia Gillard actually said, in response to a Coalition question:
"I would also remind the Leader of the National Party that if he were paying any attention to the economic debate in this country, he would know we addressed questions of superannuation, including superannuation withdrawals, when we released the tax review in May 2010. I refer him to the media release which accompanied that report and said the government reaffirms that it will never remove tax-free superannuation payments for the over-60s."
So there it is. We never needed to worry. There was no new announcement in Parliament this week, it was a reminder that the policy was set in stone 2 1/2 years ago.