The Federal Government’s legislative changes to superannuation fund governance are not specifically aimed at unions and industry funds, according to the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, Kelly O’Dwyer.
Interviewed on national television this week, O’Dwyer denied the governance changes had anything to do with the Government’s agenda with respect to trade unions, or recent actions with respect to the Australian Worker’s Union (AWU).
The minister said the Government’s legislation was not simply one measure.
“We’ve got a superannuation system that we force people into because we want them to save for their retirement,” she said. Twenty-five years ago, it was worth about $136 billion. Today it’s over $2.3 trillion. That’s the retirement savings of millions and millions of Australians.”
“All we are seeking to do is to give the regulator powers to protect that money. To give them the powers to intervene before harm occurs. To make sure that that money is protected,” O’Dwyer said.
“And the laws apply to everyone, whether they’re in retail funds, industry funds or corporate funds. It applies equally across the board so that members can be confident that the decisions that are being made around their money is in their best interests.”
The research house has offered a silver lining after super fund returns saw the end of a five-month streak last month.
A survey of almost 6,000 fund members has identified weakening retirement confidence, particularly among those under 55 years of age, signalling an opportunity for super funds to better engage with members on their retirement journey.
The funds have confirmed the signing of a successor fund transfer deed, moving closer to creating a new $29 billion entity.
A number of measures, including super on Paid Parental Leave, funding to recover unpaid super, and frameworks to encourage investment in the energy transition, have been welcomed by the superannuation industry.
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