Governance of superannuation funds

NARROWER TERMS


Report

The state of net zero investment

Australia has all the potential ingredients to attract investment across the economy necessary to achieve a vibrant, net-zero emissions economy by 2050. This report demonstrates how Australian institutional investors are acting on climate risk and opportunities.
Report

The Australian superannuation industry

Initially only available to employees in certain industries and professions, superannuation coverage is now more or less universal – a consequence of decades of ongoing reform. This resources provides an overview of Australia's superannuation system.
Report

Responsible investment benchmark report Australia 2022

This report details the size, growth, depth and performance of the Australian responsible investment market from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021, and compares these results with the broader Australian financial market as well as concerns around the quality of sustainability claims and the...
Policy report

Mortgaging our future: the effects of super for housing policies on Australian property prices and financial health in retirement

This report examines the effects of ‘super-for-housing’ policies on house prices, finding the proposal would significantly increase house prices in all major capital city markets in Australia, but do so without changing the composition of first home buyers.
Report

Quit nukes: the case for Australian superannuation funds to be nuclear weapons free

In January 2021, the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) entered into force, finally making nuclear weapons illegal under international law. This report examines the policies of the largest Australian superannuation funds, highlighting their investments in companies involved in nuclear weapons development...
Report

Review of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority: final report

This review provided an opportunity for feedback on the operation of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) since its establishment, and to consider whether further enhancements should be made to ensure the external dispute resolution scheme is appropriately calibrated and operating effectively.
Report

Responsible investment benchmark report Aotearoa New Zealand 2021

The market for responsible investments in New Zealand has continued to soar in popularity, increasing 28% in 2020 to $142 billion, according to this report, and responsible investment assets grew at more than twice the rate of overall professionally managed investments.
Report

Responsible investment benchmark report Australia 2021

This report details industry data on the size, growth, depth and performance of the Australian responsible investment market over 12 months to 31 December 2020, and compares these results with the broader Australian financial market.
Report

Retirement Income Review: final report

This review report covers the current state of the superannuation system and how it will perform in the future as Australians live longer and the population ages. The review considered the incentives for people to self-fund their retirement, the fiscal sustainability of the system, the...
Policy report

Your future, your super

Australia’s $3 trillion superannuation system is the fourth largest in the world and is responsible for managing the retirement savings of 16 million Australians. This document outlines some reform options to make the superannuation system better for members.
Report

Net zero momentum tracker: superannuation sector - September 2020

This report highlights the actions of 20 Australian superannuation organisations, and the commitments they have made to address emissions funded through their investments.
Report

Responsible investment benchmark report Australia 2020

This report details the size, growth, depth and performance of the Australian responsible investment market over 12 months to 31 December 2019 and compares these results with the broader Australian financial market.
Report

Super in the economy 2020

This report shows industry super funds’ investment performance has added billions of dollars to members’ retirement savings and deepened Australia's national savings pool, helping protect the economy during downturns. The report includes forecasts based on the present legislated scenario of small, incremental increases in the...
Report

Responsible investment benchmark report 2020 New Zealand

This annual report details the size, growth, depth and performance of the New Zealand responsible investment market over 12 months to 31 December 2019 and compares these results with the broader New Zealand financial market.
Report

Resolution of disputes with financial service providers within the justice system

This inquiry explored the ability of consumers and small businesses to exercise their legal rights through the justice system, and whether there are fair, affordable and appropriate resolution processes to resolve disputes with financial service providers.
Report

Superannuation - assessing efficiency and competitiveness: Productivity Commission inquiry report

This report assesses the efficiency and competitiveness of Australia’s superannuation system and whether better ways to allocate defaults are needed.
Report

Rivers of gold: how the trade union movement is funded by industry super

This report highlights the need for reform to the superannuation system to ensure that governance structures are such that fund members’ interests are protected.
Report

Industry super and the Australian economy

This report highlights Australia’s not-for-profit industry super funds are effectively leveraging the scale and long-term investment horizon to invest in real economy assets which have been the foundation of superior member returns.
Survey

Market Forces superannuation survey: 2016

This was an online survey. The survey was in the field from Monday 15th August to Friday 19th August 2016. The survey fieldwork was conducted by the Online Research Unit (ORU). Data tables were prepared by Essential Research. The target population for this research was...
Working paper

Independence and the governance of superannuation funds

For many years independence has been the catch-cry of policy-makers, regulators and legislators concerned with the corporate governance of listed companies. In Australia, drawing on this model, there has been an increased focus on independence in the context of superannuation fund governance arrangements. As the...
Report

The structure and operation of the superannuation industry

This report provides background on the regulation of the superannuation industry and describes industry trends that have resulted in total superannuation savings in Australia exceeding the $1 trillion mark.