Still a fiery reformer at heart

ANDREW NEWMAN

Paul Keating believes Malcolm Turnbull should thank him for making superannuation contributions compulsory in the mid ?80s. As the former PM sees it, it was this policy that helped Turnbull amass his personal fortune.

Speaking at the launch of David Love?s book Unfinished Business: Paul Keating?s Interrupted Revolution at the State Library, the ever-quotable former Prime Minister said the Rudd government should raise the superannuation rate in order to cut inflation.

?This Government, like the last one, is doing nothing about taking super to 15 per cent,? he said.

Keating said former treasurer Peter Costello had a fundamental prejudice against occupational superannuation and the development of industry funds.

?They did not want workers managing money,? he said.

Keating described Costello as a slow acting ?dope?, who didn?t accomplish any significant reforms.

He said great structural changes are withering with polices that have grown complacent and wasteful.

?There?s no justice in public life,? he added.