This Month
Henry’s big plan for what comes next
The former Treasury secretary failed to have a previous Labor government implement a resources super profits tax, but he has plenty of big ideas for tax reform.
‘We need to get there faster’: funds race to create retiree products
Andrew Howard, head of strategy at MLC-owner Insignia, says big funds must quickly shift their priorities from accumulating wealth to drawing it down.
June
12pc super is 25 years late but worth the wait: Keating
Paul Keating says Coalition delays to increasing the super guarantee could have cost a retiree as much as $300,000.
Why the super guarantee should not increase to 15pc as Keating wanted
There is no case for further increasing compulsory contributions. This wealth creation machine must now pivot to help Australians wisely manage their savings.
Wayne Swan calls for super ‘armistice’ at 12pc
The former treasurer said a super guarantee at 12 per cent of a worker’s earnings “provides adequate retirement savings for most”.
Influential or ‘enfeebled’: Has Treasury lost its mojo?
With high government spending, low productivity, and no tax reform in 25 years, an uncomfortable question is being whispered in Canberra.
May
Why Jim Chalmers will have his ‘Wayne Swan moment’ with the super tax
There is zero chance of the new impost raising $40 billion over the next 10 years.
Albanese lunches with Qantas and the dark arts squad
The prime minister was among a sold-out throng for ALP national secretary Paul Erickson’s National Press Club address.
April
Wayne Swan whitewashes out the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge
What’s worse: Labor fighting for workers rights from the VIP lounge or Swan’s photo editing skills when he tried to hide it?
Burke breaks silence on fund hacks as Victoria Police moves in
Cybersecurity Minister Tony Burke has broken his long silence on last week’s co-ordinated attack on superannuation funds.
Cbus insists Wayne Swan is at the wheel
After backtracking on declarations it had not, in fact, been hacked, Cbus is now investigating its own “cyber incident”.
Cyber minister Tony Burke ‘radio silent’ on super breach: Coalition
The accusation comes after cybersecurity firms identified the details of thousands of Australian retirees for sale online.
March
Influencers v has-beens turns the budget into a showdown
Faced with a dire budget set-up, Chalmers threw open the doors to the nation’s social media self-promoters.
February
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.
January
Cbus hits ‘sweet spot’ as it surpasses $100b in assets
The construction industry superannuation fund reached the milestone despite a “blip” in November and December when it faced regulatory and political pressure.
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
Greens the worst political performers of 2024: AFR readers
The Greens have been judged the worst-performing party by readers of The Australian Financial Review, who criticised its MPs for obstructing parliament.
Big super reckoning: what the Cbus woes mean for industry funds
This week on The Fin podcast, James Thomson and Hannah Wootton on the case against the firm, what it means for industry funds and why the “super wars” are back.