lawyers weekly logo
Advertisement
Markets
07 November 2025 by Adrian Suljanovic

Macquarie profit rises amid stronger asset management results

Macquarie Group has posted a modest profit rise for the first half, supported by stronger earnings across its asset management and banking divisions
icon

ESG investing proves resilient amid global uncertainty

Despite global ESG adoption dipping slightly from record highs, Asia Pacific investors remain deeply committed to ...

icon

Cboe licence attractive to potential buyers: ASIC

Cboe’s recent success in acquiring a market operation license will make the exchange more attractive to incoming buyers, ...

icon

NAB profit steady as margins tighten and costs rise

The major bank has posted a stable full-year profit as margin pressures and remediation costs offset strong lending and ...

icon

LGT heralds Aussie fixed income 'renaissance'

Despite the RBA’s cash rate hold, the domestic bond market is in good shape compared to its international counterparts, ...

icon

Stonepeak to launch ASX infrastructure debt note

Global alternative investment firm Stonepeak is breaking into Australia with the launch of an ASX-listed infrastructure ...

VIEW ALL

IFSA pushes for default fund review

  •  
By Christine St Anne
  •  
4 minute read

Following the announcement of its super charter last week, the debate on default funds will re-emerge as IFSA moves for a review.

The Investment and Financial Services Association (IFSA) will push for the government to reverse its decision on the current line-up of default funds in Australia's award system.

The move by IFSA follows the launch of its super charter last week, which called for a ban on commissions paid to superannuation funds.

"This is what our charter will do. It will strip 50 to 70 basis points off retail fees because of an end to trail commissions. Advertising and other marketing fees will also be lower and this will mean much more competitive pricing in the market," IFSA chief executive Richard Gilbert said.

With retail fees falling, Gilbert said retail superannuation funds will be as cost effective as those funds in the not-for-profit sector.

 
 

"We will be calling on the government to reverse its decision on default funds as we believe retail funds are now just as competitively priced," he said.

In January, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) chose 12 not-for-profit super funds as default funds under the government's award modernisation program. AMP was the only retail fund that received a nomination.

Gilbert said IFSA will push Minister for Superannuation Chris Bowen to review the decision.

He said he was surprised the chair of the newly-appointed inquiry into superannuation, Jeremy Cooper, has not yet placed the issue of default funds on the agenda.

"Jeremy has announced that he is looking at every other fee but default fund fees. It's disappointing that it is not a headline issue for the review," Gilbert said.