Self-managed super funds can better support the Australian Taxation Office following the Federal Government's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) said.
It lobbied the Government for months for a more equitable split on the levy, which the mid-year outlook reduced by $38.2 million over six years for Australian Prudential Regulated Authority-regulated funds, shifting some of the burden to SMSFs.
"ASFA is also pleased that the MYEFO statement recognises the need for levies on all superannuation funds to match the reasonable costs involved in their supervision and other related activities," it said.
ASFA also welcomed the Federal Government's lack of tax tinkering in its MYEFO.
Further changes were unnecessary, it said, because the super industry was already "pulling its weight" in terms of bringing the Budget back to surplus, and had contributed $7.5 billion in budget savings since 2009-10.
MYEFO changes to unclaimed monies and lost super accounts could consolidate $500 million in revenue, ASFA said, and again urged super fund members to track down and consolidate their own super accounts.
The Government also announced in the MYEFO that it would invest $10 million over three years to fund a new Superannuation Consumer Centre (SCC).
The Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten, said the SCC would deliver on the Government's promise to promote a more member-driven approach within the industry.
The Government predicted in its MYEFO that it would save $16.4 billion over the next four years, in part due to taxation and super system reforms which had also reduced the economic impact of the fiscal consolidation in 2012-13.
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.