This Month
Cbus deputy CIO and head of private markets Alex Campbell resigns
Two years after joining Cbus, Campbell was promoted to head of private markets where her remit broadened to cover $25 billion of FUM
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
April
Big super splits on performance test reforms
Labor announced it was reviewing the test after several funds said the current rules stopped them investing in the “nation building” initiatives the government wanted them to bankroll.
- Hannah Wootton
‘Build it and they will come’: Cbus Property’s $1b Bourke Street bet
The developer is confident there is opportunity in the office market shakeout, as blue chip tenants chase high-quality workspace for their employees.
- Nick Lenaghan
March
Super funds accused of using ‘myths’ in ‘relentless lobby’ for less scrutiny
Funds are also using the current performance test as a “a convenient scapegoat” to justify subpar returns instead of explaining their poor results, Karen Chester says.
- Hannah Wootton
February
Cbus could invest more than $500m in affordable housing: Wayne Swan
The boss of the industry super fund says it is comfortable with the risks of a new asset class and wants to play a role in resolving Australia’s housing crisis.
- Michael Bleby
Super fees are not coming down like they were supposed to
The running costs of Australia’s biggest industry super funds have not gone down despite their promises that greater scale would drive down expenses.
- Hannah Wootton
January
- Exclusive
- Superannuation
Revealed: Big super’s executive gender pay gap
Despite pressuring companies to ramp up female representation in their senior ranks, there is just one woman among the top 10 paid executives at the eight most powerful super funds.
- Hannah Wootton and Sarah Mitchell
Super funds step up private lending in challenge to banks
Fund CIOs say increased regulatory scrutiny on bank capital means more borrowers are tapping them for project finance and leveraged buyouts, as well as direct lending.
- Updated
- Hannah Wootton
Cbus splits from industry super rivals over performance tests
The Wayne Swan-chaired industry fund urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers to stick to the current regime even as its rivals heavily lobby Canberra for change.
- Hannah Wootton
Local unlisted investments stage comeback for big super
The investment chiefs of the $3.5 trillion super sector say domestic opportunities had “significantly broadened” because of high interest rates, reversing historic orthodoxy that they had outgrown local markets.
- Hannah Wootton
‘Idiosyncratic headwinds’ to cap returns at 7-9pc, say super fund CIOs
A raft of elections around the world will also challenge investors, say asset managers as they focus on stable and resilient earnings amid market volatility.
- Hannah Wootton
Super fund CIOs go defensive amid fears rates stay high
Investment chiefs who collectively manage more than $1.5 trillion in retirement savings are ramping up their exposure to unlisted assets, private credit and cash.
- Hannah Wootton
December 2023
- Exclusive
- Superannuation
Big super spends lots of your money on promotion. Here’s where it goes
New transparency laws reveal for the first time where industry super funds put money for ads and sponsorships. The Tigers and unions are big winners.
- Hannah Wootton
Cbus Property colours $930m of its debt green
The super fund negotiated with ANZ, CBA, NAB and ING on converting a series of loans into sustainable financings for properties in Australia’s biggest cities.
- Aaron Weinman
Big super hits out at performance tests
Fund chiefs descended on Parliament House for roundtable discussions as part of Labor’s push to have private money fund “nation building” investments.
- Hannah Wootton and Ronald Mizen
Big capital comes to Canberra. See the full list here
Big bank CEOs, super fund bosses and venture capital executives are at Parliament House to hear Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ push for them to invest in national priorities.
- Ronald Mizen
- Exclusive
- Superannuation
Labor signals review of superannuation fund performance tests
Possible changes canvassed by the government will include a shift from a strict benchmark introduced by the Coalition, two industry sources say.
- Ronald Mizen and Kylar Loussikian
How big super ‘sponsors’ Australia’s unions
Australia’s superannuation funds have for the first time had to reveal itemised disclosures of their marketing, sponsorship and partnership spending.
- Myriam Robin
November 2023
AusSuper to use ‘disproportionate’ footprint to block Origin deal
Several super funds have backed the giant’s stance that there are insufficient opportunities to deploy their capital in the energy transition locally.
- Hannah Wootton
Super funds on spending spree to improve customer service
But there are concerns the cost of improving service could drive up fees, even as the government and regulators warn of a crackdown on poor standards across the $3.5 trillion sector.
- Hannah Wootton
