POWERED BY MOMENTUM MEDIA
Industry funds could invest in NSW poles and wires
Just because particular unions may oppose the sale of public assets should not preclude industry funds from investing in those assets if the numbers add up, according to former Federal Labor minister, Nick Sherry.
Speaking during a panel session at the Conference of Major Super Funds (CMSF), Sherry backed a call by industry funds stalwart, Garry Weaven for super funds to be active in social infrastructure investment, including in residential housing stock.
Sherry said that union officials who sat on the boards of superannuation funds needed to leave their union hats at the door wye it came to making investment decisions and that included investments in projects which had been opposed by unions.
Weaven said that while he believed the purpose of the superannuation system was to provide for peoples' retirements, it's scale was now such that the superannuation industry had a responsibility to address some of the major issues which had been the subject of recent superannuation policy debate, including residential housing affordability.
Further he said that the sole purpose test did not need to be seen as an inhibitor in circumstances where it was possible to generate a reasonable investment return.
"And if we don't do something about addressing housing then it becomes a major issue," Weaven said.
Sherry said it had always been open to make investment decisions reflecting the views of their members and this should continue to be the case.
Recommended for you
Super funds had a “tremendous month” in November, according to new data.
Australia faces a decade of deficits, with the sum of deficits over the next four years expected to overshoot forecasts by $21.8 billion.
APRA has raised an alarm about gaps in how superannuation trustees are managing the risks associated with unlisted assets, after releasing the findings of its latest review.
Compared to how funds were allocated to March this year, industry super funds have slightly decreased their allocation to infrastructure in the six months to September – dropping from 11 per cent to 10.6 per cent, according to the latest APRA data.
TOP PERFORMING FUNDS
ACS FIXED INT - AUSTRALIA/GLOBAL BOND
Fund name
3y(%)pa
1
Spire Oaktree Opportunities XI Second Close
61.07 3 y p.a(%)
2
Spire Oaktree Opportunities XI First Close USD
59.21 3 y p.a(%)
3
DomaCom Lot 21 Chellaston Road Munno Para West SA 5115 Australia
31.73 3 y p.a(%)
4
Fidante Credit Suisse Global Private Equity
30.15 3 y p.a(%)
5
DomaCom 4/27 Crombie Avenue Bundall QLD 4217 Australia
26.71 3 y p.a(%)
