Teals open to ALP super tax crackdown

Kooyong MP Monique Ryan is ­refusing to reject Labor’s proposed tax crackdown on Australians with superannuation above $3m.

Kooyong MP Monique Ryan.

Kooyong MP Monique Ryan is ­refusing to reject Labor’s proposed tax crackdown on Australians with superannuation above $3m, despite her inner-east Melbourne electorate boasting the highest average super balance in the country.

The teal independent, who ousted former treasurer Josh Frydenberg at last year’s election, has left open her position on the Albanese government’s planned raid on superannuation concessions.

Dr Ryan, who represents the ­affluent suburbs of Kew, Balwyn, Canterbury, Camberwell and Hawthorn, told The Weekend Australian: “I don’t have a position on any potential changes to superannuation laws at this point.

“I’ll come to one once I’ve had an opportunity to look at any proposal that the government puts on the table.”

In the northern Sydney seat of McKellar, which includes Palm Beach, Mona Vale, Avalon and Narrabeen, teal independent MP Sophie Scamps refrained from ­attacking efforts to tackle the ­nation’s debt crisis.

Dr Scamps, who defeated Jason Falinski in the traditionally safe Liberal seat, said it was important that any tax reform “is considered and that the government listens and consults with those impacted”.

“Super is an incredibly important pillar of Australia’s social fabric and many people have made investment decisions looking at the long term,” Dr Scamps said.

“However, we do need to acknowledge we’re in a debt crisis so sensible measures to repair Australia’s debt should be considered.

“I still favour cracking down on multinationals, such as the fossil fuel companies who pay little or no tax, to ensure they pay their fair share of tax ahead of governments taking away tax breaks from Australians.”

Analysis released last year by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia showed that Kooyong has the highest ­average super balance of $321,593, which is more than twice the ­national average of $147,425.

North Sydney, Warringah, Bradfield, Wentworth and Mackellar, four of which are held by teal independents, boast the highest average superannuation balances in NSW.

Earlier on Friday, Dr Ryan’s former chief of staff Sally Rugg pushed back against teal independents Kylea Tink (North Sydney), Allegra Spender (Wentworth) and Zoe Daniel (Goldstein) after they raised concerns over the government’s super crackdown.

In a social media post, which was later deleted, Ms Rugg said “a progressive, equitable tax system for a sustainable budget and ­future-focused economy!”.

“Oh, except keep tax breaks for the top 1% income earners with millions in super who own homes in the wealthiest parts of the country. Also reduce their income tax,” Ms Rugg tweeted.

Ms Rugg continues to be paid as she continues mediation with the federal government and Dr Ryan, after launching Federal Court action last month alleging she was due to be dismissed as chief of staff for refusing to work “unreasonable” hours.

Dr Ryan told The Weekend Australian that “Ms Rugg is not communicating on my behalf in her comments on social media”.

After last year working with Anthony Albanese and senior ministers on key legislation, several teal independents have become more outspoken on Labor’s economic and climate policies.

Following the release of the Liberal Party election review, in which Brian Loughnane and Jane Hume made multiple recommendations on how the party could win back traditional blue ribbon seats, teal MPs have begun pushing back more frequently against government policy.

While the Prime Minister needs the Greens and two crossbenchers in the Senate to pass legislation through the parliament, he holds a majority in the House of Representatives.