The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has restructured its policy team into three key areas.
ASFA chief executive Pauline Vamos said policy had become a complex business. ASFA needed to leverage its broad policy sector committees to ensure its positioning was robust and sector-neutral and in the best interests of members, she said.
"ASFA in particular is charged with developing policy which is first and foremost in the best interest of fund members and ensuring the system is sustainable and delivers on its role as the provider of long-term capital," she said.
ASFA senior policy adviser Fiona Gailbrath has stepped into the director of policy role, having been with ASFA for 18 months.
"Fiona will be focused on external issues including the development of strategic policy positions and approaches, management of relationships with all regulators and Treasury, and also advocacy strategy and delivery," Vamos said.
Tony Keir has been promoted to the role of general manager for policy operations to focus specifically on internal operations, according to Vamos.
"Tony will provide oversight of the policy team and focus specifically on internal operations, including coordination of all policy work such as submissions and member communications, as well as management of best practice papers and support for all policy councils, working groups and advisory panels," said Vamos.
Gordon Noble's title has changed to that of director of investments and the economy to reflect his role in delivering on ASFA's "strategy to ensure the super pool can invest long term, drive productivity and fulfil its role in supporting the economy," ASFA said.
"These three professionals, together with ASFA director of research Ross Clare, are the engine room that drives ASFA's policy and research agenda," Vamos said.
The research house has offered a silver lining after super fund returns saw the end of a five-month streak last month.
A survey of almost 6,000 fund members has identified weakening retirement confidence, particularly among those under 55 years of age, signalling an opportunity for super funds to better engage with members on their retirement journey.
The funds have confirmed the signing of a successor fund transfer deed, moving closer to creating a new $29 billion entity.
A number of measures, including super on Paid Parental Leave, funding to recover unpaid super, and frameworks to encourage investment in the energy transition, have been welcomed by the superannuation industry.
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