In the media

Government needs to properly fund SCT wind-down
MEDIA - 06 February 2018 - The Federal Government needs to ensure adequate funding for the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal (SCT) until such time as the new Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) regime is appropriately up and running, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA). More...

Restore LRBA ban says ASFA
MEDIA – 06 February 2018 - The Federal Government should use the May Budget to restore the general prohibition on direct borrowing by superannuation funds, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA). More...

No more meddling with super and Age Pension settings says ASFA – new data show reforms are working
ASFA – 02 February 2018 - The ASFA today released new data showing reforms to superannuation and the retirement funding system were working but needed to be bedded down Pre-Budget Submission analysis showed a substantial and positive impact from recent reforms, in terms of a reduction in government expenditures and increasing tax revenue. More...

Financial industry slammed for outdated risk management
MEDIA – 30 January 2018 - A new paper from the Actuaries Institute has warned that financial institutions are applying ineffective and outdated risk management strategies. More...

In practice and courts

ASFA Submissions
Submission to the Treasury - ASFA Pre-Budget Submission for the 2018-19 Budget
Full Submission (02 February 2018)

APRA policy priorities for 2018
APRA has released a paper outlining its policy priorities for 2018. For an outline of APRA's planned policy initiatives, see the More... More...

Reminder: Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry
The Inquiry will consider the conduct of banks, insurers, financial services providers and superannuation funds (not including self-managed superannuation funds). The proposed terms of reference will form the basis of the Letters Patent, terms of which will be recommended to His Excellency, pursuant to the Royal Commissions Act 1902. More... More... More...
Note: Commissioner Hayne is authorised to submit an interim report to the Governor-General no later than 30 September 2018, and required to submit a final report no later than 1 February 2019.

Consultation on protecting your superannuation entitlements
The Government has released draft legislation to protect workers' superannuation entitlements and modernise the enforcement of the superannuation guarantee. The draft legislation and supporting materials are available on the Treasury website, and interested stakeholders are encouraged to provide their views. Submissions are invited by 16 February 2018.

Superannuation Taxation Integrity Measures: Public Consultation
The Treasury has released for public consultation, draft legislation and a consultation paper entitled 'Superannuation Taxation Integrity Measures'. These measures are intended to ensure that LRBAs or related party transactions cannot be used to circumvent contribution caps. They are not intended to prevent the use of LRBAs. Stakeholders are invited to comment on the consultation paper by lodging a submission online via the Treasury website. Submissions closed on 9 February 2018.

Legislation - Commonwealth

Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Bill 2018
07/02/2018 - Regulatory reform - Schedule 1 to this Bill makes a number of regulatory improvements to Treasury portfolio laws. The regulatory improvements include:

  • amending the superannuation laws to enable the Commissioner to pay certain superannuation amounts directly to individuals with a terminal medical condition;
  • amending the Corporations Act 2001 to modify the notification and reporting obligations applying to certain corporations that have property in receivership or property in respect of which a controller is acting; and
  • repealing several inoperative Acts as well as amending the taxation law to remove a number of inoperative or spent provisions.

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.