It would not be surprising if the Royal Commission recommended additional control around superannuation trustee interactions with related parties, according to an analysis issued by Willis Towers Watson.
The analysis, released this week, reviewed the areas covered by the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry and suggested the commission’s final recommendations might include the additional controls.
Retail superannuation funds sitting within vertically-integrated structures would be most affected by such a move.
The Willis Towers Watson analysis also suggested that the final recommendations might also focus on commissions and other conflicted remuneration.
The analysis pointed to the summing up of counsel assisting the Royal Commission and the fact that they had suggested that findings could be made that some trustees had not prioritised the interests of their members over those of others such as related parties.
Following the roundtable, the Treasurer said the government plans to review the superannuation performance test, stressing that the review does not signal its abolition.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has placed superannuation front and centre in its 2025-26 corporate plan, signalling a period of intensified scrutiny over fund expenditure, governance and member outcomes.
Australian Retirement Trust (ART) has become a substantial shareholder in Tabcorp, taking a stake of just over 5 per cent in the gaming and wagering company.
AustralianSuper CEO Paul Schroder has said the fund will stay globally diversified but could tip more money into Australia if governments speed up decisions and provide clearer, long-term settings – warning any mandated local investment quota would be “a disaster”.