Australia’s superannuation funds have nearly the highest proportion of internal asset management in the world, but there’s plenty of questions hanging over the practice even as funds push into more expensive niche asset classes.
The retirement chief of the $335 billion AustralianSuper, who was “instrumental” in delivering a slew of member experience uplifts across a 17-year stint with the fund, will leave this month to establish a new venture.
WA’s $5.3b insurer reviews asset servicing
The Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA) is undertaking a review of its asset servicing contract, currently with BNP Paribas Securities Services.
The review is being undertaken with advice from JANA Investment Advisers, overseen by senior consultant Jo Leaper, who heads up operational consulting. Julie O’Neill, ICWA’s CIO, is overseeing the process from the client’s perspective.
ICWA had $5.3 billion in two investment funds with slightly different horizons as at June 30 last year – the bulk of its $5.7 billion in assets. Their targets are very similar to those of big super funds: inflation plus 3 per cent.
Last financial year was difficult for the funds, as it was with most other big investors, with an overall loss of $2.9 million and a return of minus 2.6 per cent for the main fund due to the impact of COVID during the second half of the financial year. Nevertheless, the WA Government’s insurer still paid a dividend.
In his chairman’s letter, Frank Cooper said: “This year, we returned $254.1 million in dividends and capital returns (related to 2019 financial results) to the shareholder, the WA Government, in addition to paying $91.3 million in insurance duty, $65.1 million in tax and a $22.9 million interim dividend.
“We recognise the importance of these contributions to the Government as revenue source declines challenge the ability of Government to deliver important public services to Western Australians.”
