Greens clear path for new super tax hike

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Greens clear path for new super tax hike
Greens clear path for new super tax hike
Liezl Gambe
Written by Liezl Gambe
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The Albanese government has secured a vital legislative victory after the Australian Greens pledged to pass the controversial Division 296 superannuation tax unamended.

The deal, which targets balances exceeding $3 million, effectively signals a "green light" for a high-taxing May budget, with the minor party framing the move as a down payment on "ambitious" progressive reform.

Greens treasury spokesman Nick McKim confirmed that the party will waive the bill through the Senate by the week's end.

This ends a three-year deadlock over the measure, which applies an additional 15% tax on earnings for high-balance funds.

Under the revised policy, a total tax rate of up to 30% will apply to balances over $3 million, while a new $10 million indexed threshold will trigger a 40% rate.

Senator McKim urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers to utilise the Greens' balance of power to pursue further hikes, including paring back the 50% capital gains tax discount and reforming negative gearing.

"Labor is standing in front of an open goal," McKim stated, suggesting the budget is a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to tackle housing inequality.

However, the Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Association has labelled the legislation an "ugly tax," warned of technical "unintended consequences" regarding how balances are calculated.

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