Former Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten, has canvassed a future Labor Government altering the tax settings to encourage superannuation funds to invest in infrastructure.
Shorten, who is now vying with Anthony Albanese for leadership of the Parliamentary Australian Labor Party, told the ABC’s Q&A program on Monday night that he believed superannuation funds could play a positive role in infrastructure investment in Australia.
Further, he said a future Government could alter the settings or provide Government guarantees which would make it more attractive for super funds to undertake such investments.
His comments have come at the same time as the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) suggested that more self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) could get involved in infrastructure investment if more liquid products became available.
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.