This Month
Capital gains tax debate needs facts, not spin
While there may be a case to change the 50 per cent discount on capital gains, the economic reality is the tax break is not nearly as generous as its critics claim.
‘Not over yet’: Super veteran departs with warning for fund giants
Outgoing HESTA boss Debby Blakey is moving to a career in the boardroom as the superannuation sector confronts its next challenge: members hitting retirement.
Jim Chalmers should dust off Ken Henry’s CGT reform plan
The 2010 tax review recommendation to lower the 50 per cent discount was part of changes seeking to reduce the disparity in taxation of different forms of saving.
You don’t build more houses raising capital gains tax on housing
With ALP spending at 40-year highs outside the pandemic, they’ve run out of money. And now they’re coming after yours.
Chalmers’ capital gains tax plan worthy of consideration
The federal government’s plan to scale back capital gains tax breaks for investors is a symbolic move to address the legitimate grievances of younger renters.
Firm working on RBA makeover mired in tax investigation
Managers at one of NSW’s biggest labour hire groups have had their assets frozen as liquidators investigate the collapse of companies owing more than $100 million.
January
AMP’s pension ‘double dip’ angers retirement savings rivals
They say the financial services giant has moved 140,000 clients into a new product, making it easier to access the aged pension in a way not originally envisaged.
Low-paid workers shouldn’t foot bill for Shield, First Guardian collapses
Let’s not undermine trust in the system by making those who have the least money in their super pay for losses in risky, unrelated financial services and products.
Self-managed super investors should pay a fee for bailout insurance
The more one thinks about it, the more convincing it becomes that the 650,000 SMSFs should pay an annual levy if they want to be covered for losses.
December 2025
High income tax causes property investors to negatively gear
In an inconvenient truth, new research shows that high personal income tax rates motivate earners to become leveraged landlords.
Australia’s $50 cigarette experiment has become a gift for gangsters
The predictable shift of smokers from the legal to black market is a clear consequence of the current tax structure.
SMSF members will ‘hold until death’ to avoid super tax
Retirees could defer the sale of assets to minimise the cost of the levy on balances above $3 million, raising doubts about how much revenue it will raise.
November 2025
Cbus finally puts CFMEU out into the cold
The construction industry super fund may have got there slower than (nearly) everyone else, but it’s finally getting some distance from the union.
Big super’s ESG failure on Russian oil
Members that have opted for so-called “ethical” funds would be right to switch to other providers and expect regulators to ramp up their scrutiny.
Is there a sport David Elia and Hostplus don’t bankroll?
The industry super fund’s generosity extends from the Richmond Tigers and A-League’s Melbourne City to a host of rugby league and basketball organisations.
Superannuation in line to fund financial collapses
Daniel Mulino is considering forcing the $4.3 trillion sector to contribute to a scheme compensating those who lost money in collapses such as Shield and First Guardian.
Super performance test should measure what matters to members
We should aim to focus on total returns in accumulation and delivering income for retirees.
Make super simpler and automatically tax-free in retirement
This complexity isn’t just a nuisance – it’s a barrier to greater financial security for everyday Australians in retirement.
This is what really scares ASIC about the First Guardian and Shield ‘catastrophe’
With the collapse of the Shield and First Guardian funds, Australia’s super sector has a huge test. What other similar cases are out there, waiting to blow up?
The 5 things you must do if you have a self-managed super fund
Consider who will execute your binding death nomination, sell assets and wind up the SMSF.
Cbus keeps setting the super governance standard
The fund’s newest director, Allen Hicks, has experience in super at least – as the head of a union that owns a rival fund.
How risks in private credit’s Wild West could collide with your super
The huge growth in both Australia’s super system and the $200-billion private credit sector is creating connected risks that ASIC is worried about.
Why you’re paying for ‘innovation’ in pokies and novelty pizza
Taxpayers are subsidising gambling, alcohol and Domino’s novelty crusts amid a national innovation crisis. Here’s what’s wrong with the R&D tax break.
Calculating $3m super tax needs ‘heroic’ guesswork
Major funds say it will be extremely difficult to calculate realised gains and want leeway to approximate investment earnings for individual members.
