Financial planners are highly resistant to a Royal Commission into the banking and financial services sector but believe any such scrutiny should include superannuation funds.
The survey, conducted by Super Review's sister publication, Money Management, revealed that while more than 70 per cent of respondents did not believe a Royal Commission was justified they believed that if it had to be held, its terms of reference should include superannuation funds.
When asked what sectors of the financial services industry a Royal Commission should focus on, nearly 80 per cent suggested it should include superannuation funds alongside banks, insurance companies, and fund managers.
While the Government has consistently resisted calls for a Royal Commission into the banking and financial services industry, its narrow majority in the House of Representatives and the make-up of the new Senate suggest a compromise may have to be reached.
The survey also revealed that respondents regarded vertical integration as being a root cause of many of the problems which had given rise to calls for a Royal Commission.
The two funds have announced the signing of a non-binding MOU to explore a potential merger.
The board must shift its focus from managing inflation to stimulating the economy with the trimmed mean inflation figure edging closer to the 2.5 per cent target, economists have said.
ASIC chair Joe Longo says superannuation trustees must do more to protect members from misconduct and high-risk schemes.
Super fund mergers are rising, but poor planning during successor fund transfers has left members and employers exposed to serious risks.