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A Super
Boost for Nomads
 Well, big Johnny Howard may have ridden off into the sunset … but his parting gift to grey nomads has ensured he will be the toast of happy hour gatherings for years to come.
Yup, when new rules freeing retirees aged 60 and over from paying tax on superannuation lump sums, pensions or annuities came into effect last July, the effect was immediate and dramatic. People who could only have dreamed about taking the Big Lap any time soon suddenly found the sums began to add up … and jaffle irons were back on the shopping list!
Ben Yates, the CEO of the Caravan, RV & Accommodation Industry of Australia (CRVA), believes that there is a direct connection between the growing numbers of grey nomads and the changes to superannuation rules.
“Older Australians have worked hard for their Super and the new rules not only provide taxation benefits but for the first time put the cost of a caravan or a motor home within the reach of more people,” he says. “Happily, the changes mean that many people eager to see this great country have been able to push their plans forward.”
And with the Big Lap already more popular than ever, the caravan, motorhome and camper trailer manufacturers are having to work their fingers to the bone to keep up with the insatiable demand.
“We are told the the bulk of the boomers won’t be 65 until 2011,” says Mr Yates. “And that means we have a good decade of strong growth … so it’s a great time to be in the industry and an even better time to go see the country.”
The evidence of the superannuation spike on the already booming grey nomad market is everywhere. Last year’s NSW Caravanning and Camping Show recorded its highest number of paying customers ever, and RV manufacturers say they are rushed off their feet.
“In the 36 years I’ve been in business I’ve never seen it so busy,” says Colin Tobin, Dealer Principal of Canterbury Caravans in Bayswater, Victoria. “The feedback that I’m getting from customers is that the decisions they are making now are a direct result of changes to superannuation regulations.”
And David Carrick, the Principal of Jayco Sydney, says the number of grey nomad enquiries to his business has surged since the superannuation changes. “Recently a customer came in wanting to update his motorhome,” says Mr Carrick. “He paid $115,000 for the latest model last year and it had only covered 3,000 miles … but this year’s model had many new features and the super changes meant that he could afford the upgrade.”
So, while we may not all be ready to splurge quite so extravagantly … I hope that at your next campfire gathering you will all (including Rudd, Brown and Costello supporters) charge your glasses and join me in toasting: “Mr John Howard!” … and then you can all have a right old political ding-dong.
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The Scene
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 Max and Carol build their own Motorhome
The Grey Nomad Action Group in Barcaldine wants you
 How much
will it cost?
 Host
your way to free camping in WA
 "Comfort
and easy towing"
The Characters
 Pick
up some work as you
go
The Lifestyle
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