Superannuation changes. What do they mean for small business and women?

The federal government has done a deal to freeze increases in compulsory superannuation contributions. The media is reporting that the changes were part of a deal to secure the scrapping of the mining tax with Clive Palmer’s party. Under the previous schedule, the 9.5% compulsory superannuation rate was to increase to 10% on July 1, 2018, rising in yearly increments of 0.5 of a percentage point until it hit 12% in mid-2022. Under the new system, that rate will be frozen until 2021 when the rate increases to 10 per cent. It will then increase by 0.5 per cent annually until it reaches 12 per cent. Good news for small business? Some have said that the freeze is good for workers because it means that wages can rise (as super is often considered part of your wage). As business owners, will it have a positive impact on cash-flow, allowing you to invest in staff and grow your business? Bad news for women? Because women traditionally are amassing less super over their lifetime due to taking time out of workforce to raise families, are they now even worse off?   What do you think?