'Many millions' in unclaimed super for Pacific workers
Pacific workers are being urged to chase up "many millions" in lost superannuation from their stints in Australia, with that problem also leading to calls for reform.
Difficulties navigating Australia's complex tax system, particularly for foreigners, mean Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers often leave their hard-earned super languishing.
During a nine-month stint in Australia at the guaranteed base wage levels, PALM workers typically accumulate around $3,800 in pre-tax superannuation.
Like other guest workers, PALM workers can apply to access those funds once they've left the country, but most either do not - or can not.
"PALM workers are collectively leaving many millions of dollars in superannuation unclaimed," Robert Whait, University of South Australia senior lecturer told AAP.
The PALM scheme has expanded in recent years to average around 30,000 workers from 10 Pacific nations in Australia at any one time, doing jobs that employers cannot fill.
Industries includes agriculture and food processing, but also aged care, hospitality, tourism, and even a pilot in early childhood education.
Dr Whait manages the UniSA tax clinic, which offers advice "to help vulnerable Australians with their taxes", and on the foreign affairs department's suggestion, widened to take in PALM workers.
"PALM workers have the same rights we do ... but the main issue is that under the current law, they can only access that superannuation when they leave Australia and their visa is canceled," he said.
"Either they're not aware of it, or the process to put in the forms is difficult because of various barriers, so lots of money is left unclaimed which they could be taking home with them to use, directly with their families and helping out their lives."
Barriers include the unavailability of key forms in languages other than English, the reliance on internet and computer access, and verification.
PALM workers also get slugged with extra taxes that effectively claw back half of their earnings: the 15 per cent tax on contributions and a 35 per cent "departing Australia superannuation payment" tax.
The messy situation has led Dr Whait, with Connie Vitale from Western Sydney University, to author a paper looking at policy reforms, especially given super primarily exists to fund the retirement of Australian workers.
Options canvassed include adding super into their take-home pay (as occurs in New Zealand) or sending it to a super fund in the worker's home country, either as they earn, or when they head home.
Dr Whait believes the latter options would better serve the primary of purpose of super - to assist workers in retirement - and allow Pacific super funds greater pools of funding to invest at home.
"The money from PALM superannuation could be used to help infrastructure in their countries and help their communities, so that was probably the tipping point in in recommending that approach," he said.
Pacific workers are being urged to chase up "many millions" in lost superannuation from their stints in Australia, with that problem also leading to calls for reform.
Difficulties navigating Australia's complex tax system, particularly for foreigners, mean Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers often leave their hard-earned super languishing.
During a nine-month stint in Australia at the guaranteed base wage levels, PALM workers typically accumulate around $3,800 in pre-tax superannuation.
Like other guest workers, PALM workers can apply to access those funds once they've left the country, but most either do not - or can not.
"PALM workers are collectively leaving many millions of dollars in superannuation unclaimed," Robert Whait, University of South Australia senior lecturer told AAP.
The PALM scheme has expanded in recent years to average around 30,000 workers from 10 Pacific nations in Australia at any one time, doing jobs that employers cannot fill.
Industries includes agriculture and food processing, but also aged care, hospitality, tourism, and even a pilot in early childhood education.
Dr Whait manages the UniSA tax clinic, which offers advice "to help vulnerable Australians with their taxes", and on the foreign affairs department's suggestion, widened to take in PALM workers.
"PALM workers have the same rights we do ... but the main issue is that under the current law, they can only access that superannuation when they leave Australia and their visa is canceled," he said.
"Either they're not aware of it, or the process to put in the forms is difficult because of various barriers, so lots of money is left unclaimed which they could be taking home with them to use, directly with their families and helping out their lives."
Barriers include the unavailability of key forms in languages other than English, the reliance on internet and computer access, and verification.
PALM workers also get slugged with extra taxes that effectively claw back half of their earnings: the 15 per cent tax on contributions and a 35 per cent "departing Australia superannuation payment" tax.
The messy situation has led Dr Whait, with Connie Vitale from Western Sydney University, to author a paper looking at policy reforms, especially given super primarily exists to fund the retirement of Australian workers.
Options canvassed include adding super into their take-home pay (as occurs in New Zealand) or sending it to a super fund in the worker's home country, either as they earn, or when they head home.
Dr Whait believes the latter options would better serve the primary of purpose of super - to assist workers in retirement - and allow Pacific super funds greater pools of funding to invest at home.
"The money from PALM superannuation could be used to help infrastructure in their countries and help their communities, so that was probably the tipping point in in recommending that approach," he said.
Pacific workers are being urged to chase up "many millions" in lost superannuation from their stints in Australia, with that problem also leading to calls for reform.
Difficulties navigating Australia's complex tax system, particularly for foreigners, mean Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers often leave their hard-earned super languishing.
During a nine-month stint in Australia at the guaranteed base wage levels, PALM workers typically accumulate around $3,800 in pre-tax superannuation.
Like other guest workers, PALM workers can apply to access those funds once they've left the country, but most either do not - or can not.
"PALM workers are collectively leaving many millions of dollars in superannuation unclaimed," Robert Whait, University of South Australia senior lecturer told AAP.
The PALM scheme has expanded in recent years to average around 30,000 workers from 10 Pacific nations in Australia at any one time, doing jobs that employers cannot fill.
Industries includes agriculture and food processing, but also aged care, hospitality, tourism, and even a pilot in early childhood education.
Dr Whait manages the UniSA tax clinic, which offers advice "to help vulnerable Australians with their taxes", and on the foreign affairs department's suggestion, widened to take in PALM workers.
"PALM workers have the same rights we do ... but the main issue is that under the current law, they can only access that superannuation when they leave Australia and their visa is canceled," he said.
"Either they're not aware of it, or the process to put in the forms is difficult because of various barriers, so lots of money is left unclaimed which they could be taking home with them to use, directly with their families and helping out their lives."
Barriers include the unavailability of key forms in languages other than English, the reliance on internet and computer access, and verification.
PALM workers also get slugged with extra taxes that effectively claw back half of their earnings: the 15 per cent tax on contributions and a 35 per cent "departing Australia superannuation payment" tax.
The messy situation has led Dr Whait, with Connie Vitale from Western Sydney University, to author a paper looking at policy reforms, especially given super primarily exists to fund the retirement of Australian workers.
Options canvassed include adding super into their take-home pay (as occurs in New Zealand) or sending it to a super fund in the worker's home country, either as they earn, or when they head home.
Dr Whait believes the latter options would better serve the primary of purpose of super - to assist workers in retirement - and allow Pacific super funds greater pools of funding to invest at home.
"The money from PALM superannuation could be used to help infrastructure in their countries and help their communities, so that was probably the tipping point in in recommending that approach," he said.
Pacific workers are being urged to chase up "many millions" in lost superannuation from their stints in Australia, with that problem also leading to calls for reform.
Difficulties navigating Australia's complex tax system, particularly for foreigners, mean Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers often leave their hard-earned super languishing.
During a nine-month stint in Australia at the guaranteed base wage levels, PALM workers typically accumulate around $3,800 in pre-tax superannuation.
Like other guest workers, PALM workers can apply to access those funds once they've left the country, but most either do not - or can not.
"PALM workers are collectively leaving many millions of dollars in superannuation unclaimed," Robert Whait, University of South Australia senior lecturer told AAP.
The PALM scheme has expanded in recent years to average around 30,000 workers from 10 Pacific nations in Australia at any one time, doing jobs that employers cannot fill.
Industries includes agriculture and food processing, but also aged care, hospitality, tourism, and even a pilot in early childhood education.
Dr Whait manages the UniSA tax clinic, which offers advice "to help vulnerable Australians with their taxes", and on the foreign affairs department's suggestion, widened to take in PALM workers.
"PALM workers have the same rights we do ... but the main issue is that under the current law, they can only access that superannuation when they leave Australia and their visa is canceled," he said.
"Either they're not aware of it, or the process to put in the forms is difficult because of various barriers, so lots of money is left unclaimed which they could be taking home with them to use, directly with their families and helping out their lives."
Barriers include the unavailability of key forms in languages other than English, the reliance on internet and computer access, and verification.
PALM workers also get slugged with extra taxes that effectively claw back half of their earnings: the 15 per cent tax on contributions and a 35 per cent "departing Australia superannuation payment" tax.
The messy situation has led Dr Whait, with Connie Vitale from Western Sydney University, to author a paper looking at policy reforms, especially given super primarily exists to fund the retirement of Australian workers.
Options canvassed include adding super into their take-home pay (as occurs in New Zealand) or sending it to a super fund in the worker's home country, either as they earn, or when they head home.
Dr Whait believes the latter options would better serve the primary of purpose of super - to assist workers in retirement - and allow Pacific super funds greater pools of funding to invest at home.
"The money from PALM superannuation could be used to help infrastructure in their countries and help their communities, so that was probably the tipping point in in recommending that approach," he said.
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Our target was diesel [performance] or better. "It offers hybrid propulsion, [better] fuel economy, and the superpower of Pro Power Onboard. "It's the right time for a PHEV, and unlocking this new superpower for Ranger. This is going to show our customers the benefits of electrification without any tradeoff to what the truck is capable of." Of the three PHEV utes now available in Australia, the Ranger is the most expensive – the base XLT is priced from $71,990 before on-road costs, more than the most expensive Cannon Alpha PHEV and Shark 6. BYD has already reacted to the arrival of the Ranger PHEV, stating it's not worried about the new electrified ute. "I wouldn't say that we're worried," BYD Australia senior product planning manager, Sajid Hasan told CarExpert. "We respect them, direct competitors, but we're more focused on ourselves and working to expand the Shark 6 lineup and see where that takes us." 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However, Ford is hanging its hat on the Ranger PHEV's superior payload and towing capacity. All variants can tow up to 3500kg, and payloads range between 808-973kg. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Cannon Alpha equals Ford's Ranger in the towing stakes, but neither the GWM (790kg) nor the BYD (685kg) promise an equivalent payload. It's those attributes that local ute buyers value most, according to senior Ford product executive, Jim Baumbick. "We've always tried to develop the best tool for the job," Mr Baumbick told Australian media at the international launch of the Ranger PHEV. "When you talk to truck customers they want payload and towing. EV range matters, but in context when you're adding more battery you're working counter to the payload and towing. "You can increase the battery size, but then you have to increase the size of other parts to carry that weight. It's about system optimisation. We think it's the right balance for a first application." Ford is also spruiking the vehicle-to-load charging capabilities (V2L) of the Ranger PHEV. It features a pair of 15A power outlets, which allow owners to plug electrical applicances into the vehicle to use it as a generator. Ford dubs this 'Pro Power Onboard' and it offers a total capacity of 6900W, which exceeds the capacity of both the Shark 6 and Cannon Alpha PHEV. Ultimately, Ford has attempted to create an electrified version of Australia's best-selling vehicle that outperforms its diesel stablemates while staying true to the roots of the Ranger brand. "The PHEV isn't just an alternative, it can do everything the diesel can do and then some. The truck is more capable because it's a hybrid. It still does truck things but there's a new thing it can do with exportable power," said Mr Baumbick. "For us, it was about optimising the system for performance, towing and capability. Our target was diesel [performance] or better. "It offers hybrid propulsion, [better] fuel economy, and the superpower of Pro Power Onboard. "It's the right time for a PHEV, and unlocking this new superpower for Ranger. This is going to show our customers the benefits of electrification without any tradeoff to what the truck is capable of." Of the three PHEV utes now available in Australia, the Ranger is the most expensive – the base XLT is priced from $71,990 before on-road costs, more than the most expensive Cannon Alpha PHEV and Shark 6. BYD has already reacted to the arrival of the Ranger PHEV, stating it's not worried about the new electrified ute. "I wouldn't say that we're worried," BYD Australia senior product planning manager, Sajid Hasan told CarExpert. "We respect them, direct competitors, but we're more focused on ourselves and working to expand the Shark 6 lineup and see where that takes us." MORE: Explore the Ford Ranger showroom Content originally sourced from:
