The wait is over for approximately 11,000 ex-Ansett staff who finally received their superannuation entitlements after nearly a decade.
Progressive payments were made over the past few months, with the final balance settled on 28 June according to the Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten.
Former trustees of two Ansett superannuation plans formed the Ansett Residual Superannuation Fund in 2004 (with Mercer as trustee) to pay outstanding death and disablement claims and distribute remaining assets to members.
Shorten said, "Ansett may be gone, but the workers are not forgotten. The Labor party has never given up on Ansett workers."
Ansett was placed under voluntary receivership in September 2001 after Air New Zealand struggled to make the company viable in the face of increasing domestic and international competition.
"The collapse of Ansett was a significant moment in Australia's recent history, and as much of an impact as it had on the country, it is of course the workers who suddenly lost their jobs that day who were the most affected."
Legislation was recently passed giving the Commissioner of Taxation power to recover unpaid superannuation guarantee amounts from company directors when companies fail to comply with superannuation obligations.
The Government also confirmed ongoing support for the 'Securing Super' proposals as part of the Protecting Workers' Entitlements Package.
The peak industry body has welcomed new legislation reforming super advertising and onboarding, stating the changes built on recent Payday Super measures.
Funds are facing criticism after a new analysis found $33 billion is invested by super funds in companies expanding coal, oil and gas globally.
There is “no chance” of a cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia next week, according to UniSuper’s head of fixed interest David Colosimo.
State Super has begun its partnership with Frontier Advisors, transferring investment staff and taking a major equity stake to support long-term capability.