Investments
‘Bang, fizzle, pop’: AustralianSuper CIO laments late tilt to AI
The outgoing chief investment officer of AustralianSuper Mark Delaney said one of the biggest regrets he will have as he leaves the $410 billion fund is not going overweight on the AI and digital thematic in public markets sooner, as the nation’s most powerful allocator reflects on the investment case of the technology sector in the superannuation summit in New York last week.
Governance
Aware backs tougher law to ensure company action against modern slavery
Aware Super has backed the call for a legislative change that will introduce mandatory human rights due diligence for large Australian companies, as head of responsible investment Liza McDonald said it’s a “reasonable request” which will help asset owners understand and manage the governance risks in their portfolios.
Investments
AustralianSuper’s call for leverage is bold but unnecessary
AustralianSuper’s chief liquidity officer Chandu Bhindi has publicly proposed the idea of allowing some super funds to directly use leverage, enabling them to better manage liquidity requirements in crisis situations rather than being forced to sell assets at stressed prices. While the idea has some merits, overall it is not necessary and could increase system risk.
2026 Chair Forum
Super funds at the forefront of Australian soft diplomacy
With super fund assets tipped to reach as much as $7 trillion by 2030, they’re now undoubtedly an integral component of Australian soft diplomacy. But the Investment Magazine Chair Forum heard that funds must remain first and foremost fiduciaries for their members, and they’re not there to pass political judgements on nations or individuals.
12 – 14 May, 2026
Fiduciary Investors Symposium
21 July, 2026
Insurance in Super Summit
19 August, 2026
Retirement Leaders Summit
Investments
Super sector’s ‘ringside seats’ to Trump, AI new world order
The first two days of the historic Australian Superannuation Investment Summit in the US have given super sector leaders unique insights into the seismic geopolitical and technological changes afoot in the world. On the sidelines of the summit, the CEO of Cbus and CIOs of AMP, MLC and Rest reflect on how they will act on the insights to help bolster investment returns and member experience in a volatile market environment.
Profiles
Why HESTA’s ‘joined-up thinking’ is one of its CIO’s favourite things
Sonya Sawtell-Rickson joined HESTA as the health industry workers’ super fund was taking steps towards investment internalisation and a total portfolio approach. She says the moves have been vindicated not only by member returns but in the “joined-up” conversations the now-$96 billion fund has with the companies it invests in.
Profiles
From telescopes to TelstraSuper, a road less travelled
A decision to switch careers led Kate Misic from working with telescopes to working with a $30 billion superannuation investment team, and as Telstra Super chief investment officer of nine years Graeme Miller steps away, Misic is stepping up.
Member engagement
Super funds urged to lift member outcomes despite reform delays
Australia faces similar demographic challenges to other developed economies in providing a high standard of living to retirees in an ageing population. But we have weakened our system through blocking access to financial advice and delaying reforms to reverse the roadblocks, superannuation industry leaders told the Retirement Policy Outlook 2026 roundtable, hosted by Investment Magazine sister publication Retirement Magazine in partnership with Acenda. The roundtable also featured insights from ASIC Commissioner Simone Constant; APRA deputy chair Margaret Cole; Resolution Life founder, chief executive and chair Sir Clive Cowdery; and Dr David Bell of The Conexus Institute.
Governance
Board structure incidental to the power of profit-to-member funds
A report by the Super Members Council says it’s the governance of profit-to-member funds that allows them to deliver better net returns to members, lower costs and greater efficiency, and to offer more diversified portfolios. But that has (almost) nothing to do with who sits at the board table.
Governance
Norway pips Australia for most transparent pension fund
The $400 billion AustralianSuper has been named most transparent super fund in Australia and the fourth in the overall Global Pension Transparency Benchmark ranking, scoring 93 out of 100. But on a five-year basis, Australian Retirement Trust saw the biggest score uplift as its merger prompted the creation of more rigorous public reporting standards.
Industry & regulation
Funds face new discretion under plan to block abusers from death benefits
The Albanese government is exploring legislative options to stop domestic violence abusers from gaining control of their victims’ superannuation through death benefits. While this could give trustees greater discretion in assessing a deceased member’s circumstances, complicated cases may add further strains to an already stressed payout process.
Fixed income
AustralianSuper pares back bonds in favour of growth assets
The $410 billion AustralianSuper has been dialling back its fixed income allocation in favour of growth assets as it positions for a “constructive” economic environment, but the asset class remains a critical portfolio stabiliser and an important tool in complementing the fund’s risk objectives. Head of fixed income and currency Katie Dean talks scale and internalisation advantages.
Investments
Aware Super weighs return to infrastructure funds
The $210 billion super fund, which has historically pursued direct investments in chunky infrastructure assets, is considering a return to pooled vehicles to broaden its opportunity set and boost its returns. The change was kickstarted by new CIO Simon Warner before he took on the role.
