The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has been questioned over the validity of handing $2.5 million of penalty money extracted from the Commonwealth Bank and ANZ to consumer group, the Superannuation Consumer Centre (SCC).
ASIC chair, James Shipton, confirmed the grant of the money to the SCC amid suggestions by the chairman of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, Senator James Paterson that it was an “activist organisation” that he did not believe should be “funded by proxy with public money”.
The money was delivered to the SCC under so-called “community benefit’ arrangements where, if those harmed by misconduct, cannot be readily identified ASIC can select an organisation.
Amid a suggestion by ASIC executives that, perhaps, it was time to revisit the issue, the chair said: “In this instance, an activist group that purports to represent superannuants is not necessarily a good proxy for the superannuants themselves, who, as you say, are the victims of the action”.
NSW Liberal Senator, Andrew Bragg, asked whether, given the SCC already had the money, what sort of involvement or interest ASIC might have in its activities going forward.
The super fund announced that Gregory has been appointed to its executive leadership team, taking on the fresh role of chief advice officer.
The deputy governor has warned that, as super funds’ overseas assets grow and liquidity risks rise, they will need to expand their FX hedge books to manage currency exposure effectively.
Super funds have built on early financial year momentum, as growth funds deliver strong results driven by equities and resilient bonds.
The super fund has announced that Mark Rider will step down from his position of chief investment officer (CIO) after deciding to “semi-retire” from full-time work.