By Tate Papworth
Brimbank workers are among Melbourne’s hardest hit when it comes to unpaid superannuation.
Industry Super Australia claims Victorians are being robbed of more than $1.4 billion in unpaid super a year.
The company analysed ATO data from 2016-17 which it says shows more than 800,000 Victorians have not received their legal super entitlement – almost one in three workers.
On average the state’s workers are ripped off about $1,750 a year in super.
The Sydenham electorate was ranked 12th in the state for unpaid super, with 11,275 people underpaid and $16.72 million owing.
St Albans came in at 37 with 9,120 underpaid and $10.90 million owing.
The Footscray electorate, which encompasses parts of Sunshine, ranked 10th with 11,705 people underpaid and $18.57 million owing.
Industry Super Australia deputy chief executive Matt Linden called on both the state and federal governments to take action and legislate that super be paid each pay day.
“The only way to put this $1.4 billion super rip-off to an end is for the federal government to make super payable on payday,” he said.
“The Victorian government can add its voice to fix this problem once and for all. Across the state almost a third of Victorian workers are having their super stolen, no area is immune.
“Unpaid super blasts a hole in workers’ savings, making a huge difference to their quality of life in retirement.”
“With such little enforcement action taken against those responsible for the unpaid super scandal it is time for Victoria’s federal and state politicians to act.”
Industry Super Australia welcomed the Victorian government’s push to create laws that criminally punish workers who don’t pay wages, superannuation and other entitlements, but said the problem could be fixed once and for all with federal intervention.
