The alternative superannuation default models proposed by the Productivity Commission could put consumers at further risk of being sold poor products by banks and other for-profit providers, Industry Super Australia (ISA) believes.
ISA’s chief executive, David Whiteley, said the models ignored the systemic underperformance of funds offered by for-profit providers and increased the ability to sell consumers poor products.
“The draft report does not address the cross-selling of for-profit funds, or the divided interests of bank-owned and for-profit funds to deliver both shareholder profits and member returns,” he said.
“Strong protections are needed for consumers to limit the behaviour of these funds to ensure that member interests are the sole focus.”
Whiteley said a strong default system should protect disengaged workers who did not have the resources or expertise to make informed decisions on where best to place their retirement savings.
ASIC is seeing an increase in misconduct exploiting superannuation, it stated in its latest annual report.
The super sector has welcomed the government’s payday super legislation, calling it a landmark step for fairer retirement outcomes.
The regulator has ordered super trustees to strengthen oversight of platform investments after member losses from failed schemes exposed governance weaknesses.
The regulator has approved Cboe Australia to list new companies, introducing long-awaited competition to the ASX-dominated listings market.