ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
One of the forgotten victims of Treasurer Jim Chalmer’s proposed super tax reforms has broken his silence, telling The Advocate that his very way of life is under threat.
The boat-owning, hobby farmer explained that the government is moving the goal posts.
“You can’t just change the rules like that,” said Martin-Bertram Bertram-Martin, a semi-retired financial consultant that divides his time between the Lake Betoota Yacht Club and his small holding near Windorah.
“Many people like me who’ve been able to take risks in life and create some wealth are all of a sudden in the crosshairs. You know, I didn’t make my money buying and selling drugs. I’m not a publican with poker machines out the back harvesting pensions. Like most people my age, I made my money through property and grey-area insider trading,”
“And when I had extra money, I did what any responsible Australian looking to minimise their tax would do. I put lots of it in super. I put money away each year into my super, my wife’s super. It’s all wrapped up in a discretionary trust. It’s not something from science fiction,”
“It’s just what’s done.”
Mr Martin-Bertram feels victimised by these new reforms and he’s going to let the Government know at the next election.
“This bit of reform has all but guaranteed my vote for the Liberals at the next election,” he said.
“It’s time to stand up for battlers like me.”
More to come.
