The alternative superannuation default models proposed by the Productivity Commission could put consumers at further risk of being sold poor products by banks and other for-profit providers, Industry Super Australia (ISA) believes.
ISA’s chief executive, David Whiteley, said the models ignored the systemic underperformance of funds offered by for-profit providers and increased the ability to sell consumers poor products.
“The draft report does not address the cross-selling of for-profit funds, or the divided interests of bank-owned and for-profit funds to deliver both shareholder profits and member returns,” he said.
“Strong protections are needed for consumers to limit the behaviour of these funds to ensure that member interests are the sole focus.”
Whiteley said a strong default system should protect disengaged workers who did not have the resources or expertise to make informed decisions on where best to place their retirement savings.
Australia’s largest superannuation fund has confirmed all members who had funds stolen during the recent cyber fraud crime have been reimbursed.
As institutional investors grapple with shifting sentiment towards US equities and fresh uncertainty surrounding tariffs, Australia’s Aware Super is sticking to a disciplined, diversified playbook.
Market volatility continued to weigh on fund returns last month, with persistent uncertainty making it difficult to pinpoint how returns will fare in April.
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has called for the incoming government to prioritise “certainty and stability” when it comes to super policy.