There are many accounts about the severity of pollution that rapid industrialisation has brought to China, and one of the most striking is the example of not being able to see from one end of Tiananmen Square to the next owing to smog. This highlights the dangers that unchecked carbon emissions poses, but the government’s … Read more
Cbus chief executive David Atkin has defended Cbus’ union relationships after a Liberal MP criticised potential conflicts of interest arising from union representation on boards. In a speech last week, Liberal member for Bradfield in the Australian Parliament Paul Fletcher said the union movement has a disproportionate degree of influence over Australia’s superannuation sector. “I … Read more
CareSuper’s television advertising campaign has had a greater impact in educating existing members than in recruiting people to join, says its chief executive Julie Lander. The most recent advert, featuring Olympic swimmer Giaan Rooney, has led to a significant rise in member awareness of its choice options, she says. Previous CareSuper adverts had focused on … Read more
There’s competitive advantage to be had in the insurance space for superannuation funds using behaviour-change thinking and models, says behavioural consultant Michael Daddo, managing director of The Shannon Group. “Some of the funds are waking up to the importance of insurance as a value creation and a way of getting members engaged with the product … Read more
What is the optimum size for an institutional investor? This is a question foremost in the mind of Jim Christensen, chief investment officer of TelstraSuper. After four years of expansion, he believes he has maximised potential by gaining the optimum level of inhouse investment. Now running 20 to 25 per cent of assets internally for … Read more
It’s a rare event to have a bill introduced into parliament by a tearful Prime Minister, but the DisabilityCare Australia 2013 bill – which will help pay for the national disability insurance scheme by raising the medicare levy from 1.5 to 2 per cent – had such an auspicious beginning. Watched by disability advocates in the … Read more
Energy Super’s appointment of four new international equities managers has seen the fund move from a pooled investment at AMP Capital as part of its wider diversification strategy. With the $4.5-billion fund focused on growth, it now has control of its international equities, awarding $700 million in mandates to Harding Loevner, Longview Partners, Sands Capital … Read more
The statistics speak for themselves. More than half of Australia’s superannuation members are not engaged. Eighty per cent go into their super’s default investment option at sign up – and stay there. Funds are constantly looking for new ways to get members more involved with their super. They spend significant time and resources developing communications … Read more
Superannuation funds should consider new legislation monitoring gender equity in large businesses beyond their own employment practices, said Cate Wood, chair of Women in Super. The now effective Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 legislates that businesses with 100 or more employees are required to report against various gender equity indicators, including gender composition of the … Read more
A majority of superannuation funds are currently having conversations about potential mergers, according to Maree Pallisco, national superannuation leader at EY (formerly Ernst and Young), due to the impact of the Stronger Super reforms. As a leading provider of independent advice on the business structures of super funds, EY hears regularly from trustees who are … Read more
Chris Cuffe is known for many successes, not the least of which was his contribution to the establishment of Colonial First State. His subsequent philanthropic pursuits include his $55-million Thirdlink investment fund of funds, which donates all management fees to charity, approximately $60,000 a month. In addition, he’s an advocate of Primary Ethics, which delivers … Read more
The government’s decision to rejig the financial services and superannuation portfolio handled by Bill Shorten has been criticised by the opposition, which claims breaking up the role downgrades its importance. In a recent cabinet reshuffle, Chris Bowen was confirmed as treasurer with David Bradbury named assistant treasurer and, among other portfolios, “minister assisting for financial … Read more
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Investment Magazine provides in-depth, monthly analysis of trends and developments for all the businesses in which superannuation funds engage‚ including asset allocation, investment manager selection, custody and fund accounting, member administration, group insurance and compliance.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land upon which Conexus Financial sits, the Cadigal of the Eora Nation. We recognise their continuing connection and unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and community. We pay our deepest respects to them and their culture, and to Elders both past and present.
