Remove barriers to infrastructure investment, says FSC
The Government must remove a number of structural, regulatory and political issues that must be resolved before the $1.3 trillion in superannuation saving can be utilised to finance Australia's infrastructure needs, according to the Financial Services Council (FSC).
Ernst & Young has produced a report for the FSC which argues that the current 5-10 per cent allocation to infrastructure in superannuation funds can be improved if certain barriers to investment are removed.
These obstacles include a lack of a clear project pipeline and Government commitment; a lack of suitably structured projects for institutional investment; inconsistent, complex and expensive bidding processes; and regulatory pressures.
"The Government took the first steps in removing the barriers to ongoing investment in infrastructure in the Federal Budget this year," said FSC chief executive Jon Brogden.
The FSC/Ernst & Young report said further investment could be stimulated by using the existing Infrastructure Australia priority project list to create a pipeline of Government-sponsored projects. Recycling Government capital in infrastructure assets more efficiently and simplifying the bidding process would also help, according to the report.
"However, let's be clear - superannuation is not a cash cow to fund particular economic ills in Australia. A fund's first duty is to its members and ensuring investment returns are maximised," Brogden said.
Recommended for you
Insignia Financial has issued a statement to the ASX regarding a potential bid from a third global private equity business to acquire the firm.
More than 30 advisers fell off the FAR during the Christmas and New Year period, according to Wealth Data, with half of these coming from licensee giant Entireti.
With next-generation heirs unlikely to retain their family’s financial advisers after receiving an inheritance, Capgemini has explored how firms can work with younger generations to maintain a relationship.
The use of technology and data analytics will be a way for advice firms to grow in 2025, according to Adviser Ratings, with those who are using it successfully reporting 10 per cent higher profit margins.
