The conduct of most industry superannuation funds examined by the Royal Commission appear to have been given a pass mark.
Counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, Michael Hodge QC used his opening statement to suggest that examination of the statements and documents provided by industry funds suggest they were less exposed than the retail fund sector.
He said that the Royal Commission had examined credit card and other statements relating to expenditures by industry superannuation executives and trustees as well as those relating to Industry Super Holdings.
Hodge said the Royal Commission would not be considering issues currently subject to legal action including those relating to the selling practices of BT/Westpac and an unfair dismissal case relating to AustralianSuper.
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.