Productivity Commission unconstrained on default superannuation funds
The Federal Opposition has welcomed a signal from the Productivity Commission that it will not allow itself to be constrained within narrow terms of reference in examination of default superannuation funds under modern awards.
The Opposition spokesman on financial services, Senator Mathias Cormann, said he welcomed a statement by the chairman of the Productivity Commission, Gary Banks, that the body would consider all relevant issues.
Asked about the Commission's approach to the inquiry, Banks pointed out that in many instances the scope of an inquiry was "partly conditioned by the emphasis that different participants will place on different issues that they think are important and relevant".
"So we don't feel constrained," he said.
Responding to Banks' words, Cormann said he would be encouraging all stakeholders to make detailed submissions with respect to the situation around default superannuation funds under modern awards.
"The current closed shop anti-competitive arrangements for the selection of default superannuation funds through Fair Work Australia are a national disgrace," he said.
"The current process is not transparent, not competitive and inappropriately favours union dominated industry super funds."
Recommended for you
The central bank has released its decision on the official cash rate following its November monetary policy meeting.
ASIC has cancelled the AFSL of a Melbourne-based managed investment scheme operator over a failure to pay industry levies and meet its statutory audit and financial reporting lodgement obligations.
Melbourne advice firm Hewison Private Wealth has marked four decades of service after making its start in 1985 as a “truly independent advice business” in a largely product-led market.
HLB Mann Judd Perth has announced its acquisition of a WA business advisory firm, growing its presence in the region, along with 10 appointments across the firm’s national network.

