The Superannuation Complaints Tribunal (SCT) should remain independent from Government and the regulators, according to Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) chief executive Pauline Vamos.
Speaking at a Super Review breakfast event this morning, Vamos said that while there was a regulatory gap in the case of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the SCT as a consumer representative body should remain a separate entity.
Vamos said that between the Financial Ombudsman Service and the SCT, the dispute resolution process had become “murky” but that, despite a Senate enquiry, the process should not involve the regulators.
“I have a view that a dispute resolution process for consumers must be as independent as possible from the regulator - they’re different roles,” she said.
Vamos said however that the superannuation industry was required to adhere to the requirements of two regulatory bodies, which was not only onerous but included a lot of overlap.
Super funds had different disclosure requirements and paid multiple levies, creating duplication in the system which needed to be assessed.
The major changes to the proposed $3 million super tax legislation have been welcomed across the superannuation industry.
In holding the cash rate steady in September, the RBA has judged that policy remains restrictive even as housing and credit growth gather pace.
A new report warns super funds must rethink retirement readiness as older Australians use super savings to pay off housing debt.
An Australian superannuation delegation will visit the UK this month to explore investment opportunities and support local economic growth, job creation, and long-term investment.