DIFFERENT TREATMENT FOR SOME RETIREES

SARAH Henderson referred to Labor’s policy to abolish franking credits for self-funded retirees (GA 2/2) as unfair and hurtful and said it would affect many thousands of selffunded retirees.

As a retired Victorian public servant, I have empathy for the selffunded retirees as they have enjoyed many years of a very generous concession and could take a hit where it hurts most, the back pocket, on the face of it.

Why is one entitled to a tax refund when one hasn’t paid the tax?

In 2007 the Howard/Costello government revealed that RVPS super deductions had not, for many years, been deducted for tax purposes, and devised a formula that meant only a percentage of the super income was assessed for aged pension purposes, in my case 49.02 per cent.

Understand it was for a tax over- payment that had been collected over many years. I paid super contributions for almost 40 years and was a PAYE taxpayer for over 50 years: I did not have a choice.

In 2015 when Zig and Zag (Abbott and Hockey) were in power, that percentage was reduced by 10 per cent that was passed with Hendo’s support. In January 2016 our income was reduced by $9600 per annum.

Adding salt to the wound, Sco-Mo referred to RVPS as wealthy double dipping fat cats that may define the top 15 per cent the CEOs and head of departments.

When I retired at the top of a salary range for a classroom teacher in 1998 that was $46,000, so who are the fat cats?

I phoned Hendo’s office and a very polite staffer assured me Sarah would be in contact as she cared for all her constituents. I am still waiting Sarah. Disappointed yes. Surprised no.