Question Time AU

Matter of Public Importance

Superannuation

Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The Senate debated a motion to criminalise deliberate superannuation underpayment and guarantee super for workers under 18. Labor members argued that existing reforms, including payday super and wage theft criminalisation, addressed these issues, while Greens and crossbench members criticised the government for delaying action on under-18 entitlements. The Liberal shadow minister opposed expanding criminal offences before reviewing current laws, citing complexity and lack of prosecutions. The motion was agreed to by the Senate.

Outcome

The motion was agreed to.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Fatima Payman (WA) (Australia's Voice) Australia's Voice

Payman argued that unpaid superannuation constitutes theft and should be investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Payman highlighted that 530,000 workers under 18 miss out on guaranteed super, resulting in $411 million in lost contributions annually. Payman stated that young women are disproportionately affected by the current 30-hour work threshold. Payman called for the removal of this exclusion to ensure all workers receive superannuation regardless of hours worked.

Opposition response

Maria Kovacic (NSW) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Kovacic argued that the existing criminal wage underpayment offence had not been properly tested or reviewed. Kovacic noted that no prosecutions had occurred since the law commenced, despite significant funding. Kovacic stated that superannuation compliance is complex and that errors should not automatically be treated as deliberate theft. Kovacic called for simplifying regulations rather than expanding criminal laws.