It is probably the timing – early in the calendar year – that makes the Conference of Major Superannuation Funds a venue for heated policy discussion and 2016 seems likely to be little different.
In fact, Rollover can rarely recall a year in which superannuation policy has been more hotly debated with the Treasurer, Scott Morrison and the Assistant Treasurer, Kelly O’Dwyer, variously adding fuel to the fire via media commentary.
Little wonder then, that while the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees and the Financial Services Council have had little to agree about over the past 18 months, they are both agreed that super policy speculation is most unhealthy.
Rollover noted Loane admonishing the Government about policy kite-flying, while Tom Garcia has also lamented the somewhat random nature of the debate accompanying the various ministerial prognostications.
CMSF delegates may get a better idea of the Government’s super policy direction via a scheduled video address by Kelly O’Dwyer during the opening plenary but somehow Rollover doubts it.
With rainy weather abound in Sydney, Rollover was sat in front of his TV watching the smorgasbord of niche documentaries free-to-air has to offer.
As a history buff, Rollover is well-aware of the importance of the role the vanguard plays in a military force, as the leader at the front of battle.
Now that crypto investing is mainstream, with Rest Super announcing it will put a portion of its funds into it, Rollover wonders whether his grandkids will think he is hip when he shows them his crypto balance in his new digital wallet.
Rollover is almost as fascinated by superannuation fund mergers as the deputy chair of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), Helen Rowell.