Crean 'prepared to cross the floor'

Labor MP Simon Crean says he opposes changes that could alter the tax treatment of people's superannuation.

DUMPED cabinet minister Simon Crean has signalled he could be prepared to cross the floor on superannuation changes, saying he will do "whatever I can" to stop any retrospective measures coming into place.

In his strongest comments yet on the lengths he is prepared to go to fight against flagged super changes, Mr Crean urged Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Treasurer Wayne Swan to reveal the detail on exactly what they plan do to the sector.

"The sooner they spell it out the better for all of us," Mr Crean told the Nine Network's Today program.

The Labor party elder, who was sacked by Ms Gillard from cabinet last month after calling for a leadership spill between her and Kevin Rudd, said he was open to "sustainable" changes to superannuation but would not back anything that raided contributions or earnings retrospectively.

Mr Crean said he had never threatened to cross the floor on an issue in his long parliamentary career, but did not categorically rule it out on superannuation.

“I have never threatened to cross the floor in my life and I am not starting now,” Mr Crean said.

Pressed further on if he was prepared to cross the floor on the important issue of superannuation Mr Crean said he was prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure the right balance on super.

"I am prepared to do whatever I can to make common sense prevail, certainty prevail and a belief back in people that in us they have a government that not only is committed to their superannuation, committed to growing it but committed to making it sustainable," he said.

"This has to be fought and it has to be fought on two fundamental grounds; one the test is, is it a retrospective application? If it is it needs to be rejected.

Simon Crean has said he could cross the floor to oppose superannuation changes. Picture: Mark Graham

"Second do we need to make it more sustainable? Yes, but also on the basis that we continue to grow the adequacy of the superannuation pool."

Speculation has mounted that Labor plans to raid the superannuation contributions and earnings of wealthy Australians in order to help pay for some of its key policies like the Gonski education reforms and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Defence Minister, and a member of the budget razor gang, Stephen Smith today said people needed to calm down on the issue of superannuation.

"I think people should take a cold shower," Mr Smith told ABC radio.

Former Howard advisor, now Liberal Senator, Arthur Sinodinos defended the opposition's stance that they may not be able to wind back any changes to superannuation if elected on September 14.

He said it was the Coalition's jobs to criticise the flagged changes and they would oppose any move to raid superannuation.

"As an opposition we have an obligation to look critically at all measures," he told ABC radio.

Tony Abbott this morning again reaffirmed his commitment to make "no adverse changes" to superannuation in a Coalition's first term of government.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion on superannuation Mr Abbott said the message to the government was "hands off super".

"This is a complete breach of faith with the Australian people," the Opposition Leader said.

"It is a betrayal of trust and we know it is coming because Simon Crean … has warned us it is coming.

"Why can’t this government leave anything that is working alone?"

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Kate prepared for anything with Scouts

The Duchess of Cambridge ate off a skewer and helped teach young scouts how to start a fire during an outdoor skills event in northern England. Rough Cut (no reporter narration)

THE Duchess of Cambridge was prepared for anything as she joined a Scout camp in the UK, cooking damper and lighting fires in the snow.

With temperatures dropping to as low as -5C, Kate joined other volunteer adult leaders in the training day at the Great Tower Scout Camp near Newby Bridge in Cumbria.

The Duchess became a volunteer with her local Cub Scouts pack in Anglesey, North Wales, last year, helping with the Beaver Scouts (6-8 year olds) and Cub Scouts (8-10 year olds).

Kate, who is five months pregnant, joined in with the other volunteers mixing the dough for damper to be cooked on the open fire.

Kate joked the the damper was 'not bad, if you're desperately hungry'. Picture: Andy Stenning

Clearly enjoying herself, she giggled as she wrestled with the bread.

"I'm not sure if these are going to look particularly edible," she said before trying a piece.

And her verdict on the result?

The Duchess got stuck in to mixing the damper dough before chatting to young Scouts at the camp. Picture: Andy Stenning

"Oh, it’s actually not bad, if you were really desperately hungry," she laughed. "It is quite sugary though"

After the cooking the group passed on their skills to a group of young scouts, with Kate showing the youngsters how to light a fire using flints and cotton wool before watching as they tackled a climbing course.

Simon Carter of the Scout Association said the organisation needs adult volunteers.

Kate cooks damper over an open fire with other volunteer leaders at the Great Tower Scout camp in the UK. Picture: Andy Stenning/Getty Images

"The reason we value the Duchess’s support so much is that she helps out when she can. She is very busy," he said.

"We want to say to people: 'You can come when you can and we will work around you'."

He said the Duchess was excited to join the other volunteers at the training camp.

Kate watches as young Scouts participate in a climbing activity. Picture: Andy Stenning/Getty Images

"She was passionate about doing this course today," he said.

"Other scout leaders who have spoken to her say she loves asking questions. She wants to get as much information as possible to take back with her."

The Duchess of Cambridge teaches young Scouts how to light a fire using a flint and cotton wool during a training course at the Great Tower Scout Camp in Newby Bridge in Cumbria. Picture: Andy Stenning/Getty Images

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