Understanding Superannuation Fund Returns

I’m sorry, that was just sooooo funny that i almost choked even as i was typing it. ‘Understanding’ is not a word usually associated with superannuation funds, never mind understanding anything about the investment returns achieved by those funds. APRA (the government body charged with supervision of a lot of these areas) has just released … Read more

Legislating to ban commissions on superannuation

For many years various pressure groups around the country have been trying to have legislation brought in to ban the payment of commissions from superannuation accounts. Pressure has mounted even further as links are drawn between commissions generated and the recent failures of MIS scheme operators Great Southern and Timbercorp, as well as the demise … Read more

Common sense is not so common – Timbercorp/ Great Southern

The demise of Timbercorp and Great Southern has highlighted the difficulties of running an investor-focussed regulatory environment in a capitalist based system. For once, i will be brief. The agricultural projects operated by Timbercorp and Great Southern on behalf of grower-investors are presided over by a “RE”, or Responsible Entity. It is the job of … Read more