The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has chosen Australia’s largest industry superannuation fund, AustralianSuper as its default fund for ASIC employees.
The regulator, which has been criticised by some elements of the financial services for the perception that it has favoured industry funds, selected AustralianSuper as a default on the basis of its change of status as a Government entity.
Those employed by ASIC are now employed under the ASIC Act instead of the Public Service Act.
The regulator said that as part of the transition process it had selected AustralianSuper as the new default superannuation fund for employees who joined from 1 July this year and who did not nominate a fund.
It said there was no change to arrangements for existing employees, including those who are members of the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme, the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme and the Public Sector Superannuation accumulation plan.
ASIC said it would be reviewing its default fund arrangements every four years.
Jim Chalmers has defended changes to the Future Fund’s mandate, referring to himself as a “big supporter” of the sovereign wealth fund, amid fierce opposition from the Coalition, which has pledged to reverse any changes if it wins next year’s election.
In a new review of the country’s largest fund, a research house says it’s well placed to deliver attractive returns despite challenges.
Chant West analysis suggests super could be well placed to deliver a double-digit result by the end of the calendar year.
Specific valuation decisions made by the $88 billion fund at the beginning of the pandemic were “not adequate for the deteriorating market conditions”, according to the prudential regulator.