March
Retail super funds revolt as ASIC goes soft on AustralianSuper
The chief executives of AMP and Insignia, which runs MLC and IOOF, have criticised a lower fine for the not-for-profit industry superannuation giant.
February
‘Boggles the mind’: Bragg delays household electrification push
Renewables advocates have slammed the Coalition’s decision to quietly delay the final report of its own inquiry into household electrification.
Wayne Swan, Cbus still won’t answer the question
The Labor powerbroker and Cbus chairman and Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg seem at odds on what constitutes an answer to a question on notice.
Revealed: Cbus’ secret governance report details deep union ties
Commissioned in 2015, the review found the super fund was reliant on the CFMEU to enforce the payment of super in a difficult industry, creating big risks.
Tech visa lobby foots bill for Andrew Bragg’s Christmas bash
It’s less glamorous than the Hemmes-sponsored party of 2023, but at least anyone interested in skilled migration or international student caps was happy.
January
Prudential watchdog must release secret Cbus review: advice
New advice from the clerk of the Senate argues APRA has no grounds to keep the critical review secret from parliament.
December 2024
Cbus says $387,000 birthday party was in members’ interests
The industry fund used money earmarked for staff professional development to host a 40th birthday bash for more than 750 guests
Barrenjoey stokes political debate over APRA’s home-lending policy
The investment bank says a Coalition-led Senate committee report last month – challenging the prudential regulator on first home buyers – “appears logical”.
November 2024
Crumlin had ‘extensive experience’ in super before getting Cbus job
Construction industry super fund chairman Wayne Swan has defended CFMEU-appointee Paddy Crumlin’s suitability to help oversee its $94 billion in retirement savings.
Coalition wants to dilute lending laws to pump up first home buyers
An opposition inquiry will call for an overhaul of how banks and the prudential regulator treat prospective first homebuyers.
Coalition attacks Treasury’s failure to produce crypto protection laws
More than a year has elapsed since Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones promised crypto regulation, leaving gaping holes as more Australians pile into bitcoin and digital coins.
Senate demands answers from Wayne Swan on Cbus scandal
It comes as Cbus faces a reckoning over its customer service and governance and after the fund tried to dodge earlier requests to appear before the Senate.
Big Super’s reckoning has arrived
After 32 years of guaranteed inflows from workers and scant scrutiny, the $3.9 trillion industry faces customer fury over service, unclear investment practices and questionable governance.
AustralianSuper pays members back $4.2m over claims handling delays
The industry super giant is voluntarily compensating the loved ones of deceased members after an overhaul of its claims handling processes imposed tough new timelines.
Wayne Swan’s Cbus dodging Senate’s invitations
Even a month isn’t enough notice for the $94 billion superannuation fund, which is admittedly busy dealing with several headaches.
October 2024
Supply is the only fix for housing affordability
The fuss over the prime minister’s house purchase has highlighted the housing crisis in ways the government would not have wanted.
WiseTech’s Richard White slips into witness protection
The tech billionaire had a secret wedding amid his legal stoush with an alleged former lover.
NAB no longer hosting Richard White
No man is an island – not even a billionaire. All have some vulnerability to the headlines, even when seemingly determined to ride them out.
WiseTech’s Richard White not hiding from the headlines
White’s oration will surely be like this year’s Business Council speeches, only if delivered by a man presently trying to bankrupt his alleged ex-lover.
September 2024
Own home becoming ‘just for rich’: Coalition weighs lending overhaul
Housing has become a key battleground for the major parties, as record prices and high interest rates combine to significantly reduce affordability.