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Cliona O'DowdJournalist

Cliona O’Dowd joined The Australian in 2016 and writes on financial services. She was previously the editor of business news and commentary website Business Spectator. Before moving into journalism she spent a number of years working in the financial services industry in Dublin and London. She holds a master’s degree in European public affairs and law.

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SuperannuationBusiness

Cbus chief executive Kristian Fok. Picture: NewsWire / David Geraghty

Plug risky gaps in system: big super’s message to government

Superannuation giant Cbus has called for sweeping financial reforms, warning AI-enabled marketing will create ‘a far more dangerous, automated environment’ for investors.

First Guardian collapseBusiness

Hawthorne mansion and Lamborghini linked to First Guardian

Liquidators recover just $1.6m from collapsed First Guardian fund

Of the $450m invested into First Guardian over its short life, more than $94m was allegedly pumped into related-party investments, with a further $166m sent to management-related parties, liquidators say.

SuperannuationSuperannuation

Disappointed young businessman with head in hand sitting with laptop and glasses at desk in office

Looming super changes to deliver unexpected tax hit

Some people face a nasty tax surprise as an ‘unintended consequence’ of a super reform that had been touted as a win for workers.

Fund collapseBusiness

Falcon Capital founder Simon Selimaj boasted of ethics on a podcast years before the First Guardian Master Fund collapse.

First Guardian’s Selimaj seeks to sell assets

The Federal Court has heard former First Guardian CIO Simon Selimaj is seeking to sell assets to pay his legal fees.

SuperannuationBusiness

child and parent hands holding money jar, donation, saving, charity, family finance plan concept generic

Regulator acts on ‘ethical’ fund’s $73m parent deal

Australia’s ‘most ethical’ super fund has been slapped with additional licence conditions by APRA after a review of related-party spending with its parent company.

Claims failuresBusiness

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - November 5, 2025: Former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Wayne Swan attends the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 2025 Parliamentary Big Aussie Barbie at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Super members to foot the bill for Cbus’ $23.5m fine

The Federal Court has blessed a $23.5m penalty owed by Cbus for claims processing failures but the money will ultimately come from member fees.

Garry Crole pic for business story

Advisers facing $100k in fees to flee troubled InterPrac

Financial advisers have slammed InterPrac’s move to hit them with huge fees as they try to exit the firm that is facing court action and bans amid the Shield and First Guardian scandals.

EXCLUSIVEBusiness

investment and finance concept, businessman holding virtual trading graph and blurred light on hand, stock market, profits and business growth.

Morrison Securities dumps clients amid ASX probe

Australia’s biggest options broker has dumped its riskiest clients as regulators circle, with parent company Beaconsfield Capital now hunting for a new risk chief.

Financial ServicesBusiness

Magellan financial group confirms exit

Magellan’s top stock picker quits over alleged relationship with colleague

Magellan revealed that its head of global equities Arvid Streimann quit on Wednesday and the firm was investigating an alleged relationship with a ‘junior employee’. The claim was brought to the attention of management by one of their colleagues.

Max Aitchison and Cliona O'Dowd

Shield Master FundBusiness

MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA -NOVEMBER 17, 2025: Photo of Paul Chiodo (from Shield Master Fund) attending the Australian Federel Court on Monday 17 November 2025. Picture: The Australian/Luis Enrique Ascui

‘No intention of repaying the money’: Keystone grilling over Shield

Former Keystone director Louie Kortesis has denied his entertainment company had no intention of repaying funds borrowed from Chiodo Corporation.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/cliona-odowd