REST, Barings begin work on Kemps Creek industrial estate
REST and Barings have officially begun the development of logistics and industrial estate at Kemps Creek in Sydney south-west, after the two jointly acquired the site in April.
Prevention better than cure in improving members’ insurance outcomes
The insurance industry has found success in shifting from just paying claims to rehabilitation programs that get as many people back to work as possible. Now its attention is turning to prevention program and reducing the incidence of insurance claims in the first place.
Shadow minister strikes conciliatory tone on industry super funds
Just one week after Coalition Senator Andrew Bragg questioned the compulsory, default settings of the superannuation system, Shadow Minister for Financial Services Luke Howarth has used an industry event to express support for both compulsion and for profit-to-member funds.
Tapping the human brain to improve insurance for members
Rapid advances in neuroscience and artificial intelligence are converging to present clear opportunities to reimagine how life insurance is designed and delivered to fund members. As well as offering the prospect of better treatment and management of illnesses, insurers are entering an era of more personalised cover and communications.
Coalition criticism ‘healthy’ for super and insurance
Insurance and superannuation executives have warned the industry to not be so quick to dismiss group insurance criticism such as that from Coalition Senator Andrew Bragg, despite the often provocative language, but to treat it as a chance for a reality check.
Spirit Super takes CareSuper name in fund marriage
Spirit Super will forgo its brand name but retain elements of its fund logo under its marriage to CareSuper in what was described as a “true merger of equals”. As the two funds look to officially merge from 1 November, the unified entity will retain CareSuper’s name due to “strong brand recognition”, notwithstanding Spirit Super’s larger assets under management.
Housing Australia names CEO
Housing Australia, the government agency that administers the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) and National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF), has named the successor to the outgoing chief executive, Nathan Dal Bon.
‘Qualified advisers’ could lift funds’ claims handling capabilities
Australian Retirement Trust and UniSuper said “qualified advisers” – a second-tier of financial advice proposed in the QAR – have much to offer on the group insurance front by helping trustees deal with insurance claims quicker and with more personal member care.
Bragg lays out existential threat to ‘junk’ group insurance sector
Superannuation and life insurance industry executives have hit back at Coalition Senator Andrew Bragg’s characterisation of group insurance as “junk insurance” that provides a “false safety net” for members.
NGS Super names deputy CIO, ESG leaders
Industry fund NGS Super has made a series of promotions in the investment team.
Super fund reporting and audit obligations commence
Super funds will be required to submit audited financial reports within three months of the end of the fund’s financial year with fees incurred for late lodgement under new rules governed by ASIC.
Wayne Swan, Cbus caught up in CFMEU maelstrom
Explosive allegations about misconduct by militant trade union the CFMEU and its historic and interpersonal links to Cbus are fuelling political opposition to the growing profit-to-member super sector. Longtime critic Senator Andrew Bragg used the Investment Magazine Insurance in Super Summit to call for Cbus chair and federal Labor Party president Wayne Swan to resign from one or both of the roles.
