New proxy regulations an ‘unprecedented intervention’: ACSI’s Davidson

Regulations requiring proxy advisers to get a new Australian financial services licence and for them to provide same-day reports to the companies they are commenting on come into effect on February 7. Some see it as part of an agenda by the Morrison government to curb the potential influence of the industry fund sector on the boardrooms of corporate Australia, Glenda Korporaal reports.

Amid uncertainty, opportunity abounds for funds in 2022: Mercer’s Bryant

Super funds know what to expect in 2022 with regard to regulation but the investment market offers green shoots “there for the taking” despite still being uncertain. David Bryant, Mercer president, Pacific region & CEO, Australia, gives his take on the top five investment priorities for funds for this year.

Policy makers warned to ease future financial advice and super regulations

Chiefs of some of the country’s largest institutional investors have sought clarity on any new regulations for financial advisers from lawmakers ahead of a likely May Federal election, while superannuation and financial services minister Jane Hume is also keen to “remove the grit from the wheels of the merger process” for smaller super funds.

Labor won’t overhaul super in the case of election win: Jones

Labor won’t reverse most of the Government’s super regulatory reforms in the case of an election win according to opposition spokesperson for financial services and superannuation, Stephen Jones but he warned the Retirement Income Covenant will fail unless the industry can get the “advice piece right”.

The product problem

The Dixon saga casts a shadow over policymakers’ options to expand intra-fund advice models so that fund members can be matched to appropriate products, a move that could vertically integrate the entire super industry. Conexus Financial Founder/CEO and Conexus Institute Chair Colin Tate writes.

Watch inflation, monetary policy, trim exposure to shares in 2022: AustralianSuper’s Delaney

Prepare for a year of transition with inflation a major concern and investors shuffling portfolios away from equities, toward fixed income and overseas expansion according to AustralianSuper’s chief investment officer Mark Delaney.