The Government confirmed its pre-Budget announcements on increased funding to both the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
The Budget documents said the Government was enhancing ASIC’s and APRA’s effectiveness, providing more than $550 million “so they have the necessary resources to discharge their expanded remit and address misconduct”.
The Government will provide more than $400 million to ASIC including:
It said the government wouldl increase APRA’s budget by $152 million to strengthen its supervisory and enforcement activities.
“$117 million of this funding will support APRA’s response to key areas of concern raised by the Royal Commission, including with respect to governance, culture and remuneration,” it said.
“The Government is also providing $7.7 million to establish an independent Financial Regulator Oversight Authority to report on ASIC’s and APRA’s effectiveness.”
The winners have been announced for the 2025 Super Fund of the Year Awards, held in Melbourne on 26 November.
Australian Ethical Superannuation has seen additional licence conditions imposed on it by APRA over the fund’s expenditure management.
The fund has strengthened its leadership team with three appointments to drive its next phase of growth and innovation.
ASIC and APRA have warned many trustees have failed to meaningfully improve retirement strategies despite the retirement income covenant being in place for three years.