Franking credits: Labor staffer attacks ‘whingeing Baby Boomers’

The staffer has hit out at “whingeing Baby Boomers”, on the eve of an election that will be fought on Labor’s franking credits ban.

The Facebook post from a staffer of Daniel Andrews.

A Daniel Andrews staffer has taken to Facebook to attack “whingeing Baby Boomers”, just months before a federal election her party will fight on taking franking credit refunds away from older Australians.

The Victorian premier’s caucus liaison officer, Lisa Ohlmus, hit out at Baby Boomers’ “sense of entitlement” in a move which the state Opposition has labelled as a “total lack of respect.”

“The sense of entitlement from whingeing Baby Boomers is simply breathtaking,” she posted on February 20.

The Facebook post appears to have been deleted shortly after The Australian approached Ms Ohlmus and the Premier’s office this morning.

Ms Ohlmus’s post will be an unnecessary distraction for federal Labor as it faces an onslaught from Scott Morrison on franking credits and negative gearing reform, and accusations those policies will hurt the finances of thousands of Baby Boomers.

The post is also uncomfortable for her boss, Mr Andrews, who governs a state with more than 1.6 million people over the age of 55. Ms Ohlmus’s social media attack on boomers came just a month after she joined the recently re-elected Premier’s team.

A spokeswoman for the Premier said: “These are comments from a junior staff member, and do not reflect the government’s views.”

The Australian understands Ms Ohlmus has been counselled over her use of social media.

Victoria’s opposition planning spokesman Tim Smith told The Australian the post was an “insight into Labor’s true prejudices” and showed a “lack of respect” for older Australians.

“This mean and nasty Facebook post gives us real insight into Labor’s true prejudices against self funded retirees and the over 55’s,” he said.

“This total lack of respect for hard-working Australians shows the divisive class war politics that should have ended decades ago are back with a vengeance.“

Coalition treasury spokeswoman Louise Staley sought to highlight Ms Ohlmus’s comments during Question Time in state parliament, as she quizzed the Premier about escalating land tax.

“Land tax collection has increased from $1,751m to $3,433m, or 96.1 per cent since the election of the government,” Ms Staley said.

“Is the heartless nature of the government’s increase in taxes simply because those most likely to be affected by Labor’s tax policies, that is senior Victorians, are, as the Premier’s private office describes, just simply “whingeing baby boomers”?”

Mr Andrews replied: “The answer to that question is no.”