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Turn and face the change: A better future for super?

The last nine years of government have been characterised by a deep-seated suspicion of the country’s largest investors. But with Labor back in power, the super wars are almost certainly over.

Lachlan Maddock | 25th May 2022 | More
ASIC dumps super ‘insider trading’ probe

ASIC’s investigation into whether super funds took advantage of inside knowledge when switching investments in early 2020 has ended with the regulator taking no action. The drawn-out saga of ASIC’s investigation into alleged “insider trading” at super funds has come to a close, with the corporate regulator saying it will take no further action against…

Lachlan Maddock | 6th Apr 2022 | More
The super wars are over (if you want them to be)

While Liberals and Labor have sparred for decades, it seems that many Australians believe the ideological conflict waged over superannuation is mostly moot. The super wars have raged unchecked since the introduction of the superannuation guarantee (SG) in the heady days of 1993. But the ideological battles in Parliament and the press have been waged…

Lachlan Maddock | 30th Mar 2022 | More
  • More acrimony over ACSI in common ownership inquiry

    It’s rare that an inquiry finds no evidence of harm from a practice and still recommends against it – but that’s the path the standing committee on economics has gone down. The standing committee on economics’ inquiry into common ownership was most notable for beingone of the few inquiries of that body that regularly ended…

    Lachlan Maddock | 23rd Mar 2022 | More
    Hostplus, Maritime Super, go all the way

    The two funds have now committed to exploring a proper merger after announcing a pooled superannuation trust (PST) arrangement in 2021 that drew the ire of members of the Morrison Government. Hostplus and Maritime Super have signed a memorandum of understanding and will commence joint due diligence with an intention to merge in 2023, with…

    Lachlan Maddock | 18th Feb 2022 | More
    ASIC narrows super ‘insider trading’ investigation

    ASIC’s investigation into potential “insider trading” at a number of superannuation funds appears to be approaching its end – but the issue seems far from settled. Accusations of “insider trading” at some of Australia’s largest super funds were first made by Liberal MP Tim Wilson, who accused unnamed executives and employees of switching from investment…

    Lachlan Maddock | 6th Jan 2022 | More
  • No silver bullet for ‘Home First Super Second’

    No amount of hard data or compelling evidence is going to stop people who want to use their super to buy a home. And super funds might have to help out after all. The idea of using superannuation for housing has a simple allure that has seen it revived several times in the thirty-odd years…

    Lachlan Maddock | 16th Dec 2021 | More
    Truth, consequences, and insider trading

    The accusations of insider trading hurled at Australia’s big super funds are explosive in nature – and pose something of a headscratcher. Regardless of their weight, reputations are at stake. The revelations made by ASIC on Wednesday last week (October 27) are a tough wake-up call for an industry that prides itself on its duty…

    Lachlan Maddock | 5th Nov 2021 | More
  • APRA fires latest salvo in super wars

    A significant chunk of super fund advertising could now be on ice, with APRA finding that marketing expenditure could not be shown to have improved members’ financial position. As stapling puts a nail in the coffin of default distribution, many of Australia’s biggest super funds have turned their attention to the dark art of advertising…

    Lachlan Maddock | 28th Oct 2021 | More
    Funds spar with government over unlisted assets

    Super funds may soon be forced to reveal internal valuations for unlisted assets. But the lesson from the Future Fund is that the new regulations aren’t in anybody’s best interests. While much of government’s recent focus has been on implementing the “Your Future Your Super” performance test, super funds could also soon be subject to…

    Lachlan Maddock | 23rd Sep 2021 | More