The standing of Industry Super Australia’s so-called “fox in the henhouse” advertisements will be examined by the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.
Counsel assisting the Royal Commission, Michael Hodge QC specifically referenced in the advertisements in the context of the so-called sole purpose test under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act.
In doing so, Hodge noted that questions around the advertising had already been raised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
The “fox in the henhouse” advertising was funded via Industry Super Australia on behalf of a number of its constituent industry superannuation funds and attacked bank-owned superannuation funds.
A major super fund has defended its use of private markets in a submission to ASIC, asserting that appropriate governance and information-sharing practices are present in both public and private markets.
A member body representing some prominent wealth managers is concerned super funds’ dominance is sidelining small companies in capital markets.
Earlier this month, several Australian superannuation funds fell victim to credential stuffing attacks, which saw a small number of members lose more than $500,000.
Small- to medium-sized funds have become collateral damage in an "imperfect" model for super industry levies, a financial institution has said.