-
1 week ago | 
financialstandard.com.au | Eliza Bavin
Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) chief executive Sarah Abood has voiced concerns about the future of Div 296, given Labor's overwhelming victory at the federal election. The proposed 30% tax on superannuation balances above $3 million could see the threshold reduced to $2 million if the Greens get their way. "It will be the Greens, most likely, that Labor will negotiate with in the Senate, and they have asked for further changes.
-
1 week ago | 
fssustainability.com.au | Eliza Bavin
Aware Super and HESTA have voted against the re-election of Woodside director Ann Pickard, who also chairs the Energy Board's Sustainability Committee, with HESTA also voting against the broader remuneration plan. The super funds said the gas giant has failed to meet expectations on climate action and a transition to net-zero.
-
1 week ago | 
financialstandard.com.au | Eliza Bavin
Aware Super and HESTA have voted against the re-election of Woodside director Ann Pickard, who also chairs the Energy Board's Sustainability Committee, with HESTA also voting against the broader remuneration plan. The super funds said the gas giant has failed to meet expectations on climate action and a transition to net-zero.
-
1 week ago | 
financialstandard.com.au | Eliza Bavin
Australian Ethical Investment has called on QBE Insurance Group to disclose the risk climate change presents to its ongoing business, and the justification for its policy that allows the continued unrestricted underwriting of new oil and gas projects until at least 2030.
-
1 week ago | 
financialstandard.com.au | Eliza Bavin
The US Federal Reserve left interest rates on hold when it met overnight as it takes a "patient" stance while it awaits the inflationary impacts of US President Donald Trump's tariffs. The Fed noted that "uncertainty about the economic outlook has increased" and the central bank was watching the situation closely.
-
1 week ago | 
financialstandard.com.au | Eliza Bavin
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its yearly reading on Australia's international investment position, showing a boom in foreign investment into the country. In 2024, foreign investment rose $326.9 billion to hit $4.97 trillion. However, Australian investment abroad also rose $492.4 billion to hit $4.31 trillion. Foreign investors showed a preference towards investing in debt ($1.63 trillion), followed by direct investment ($1.28 trillion) and equities ($885 billion).
-
1 week ago | 
financialstandard.com.au | Eliza Bavin
Sequoia Financial Group has appointed Daryl Stout as head of licensee and adviser services, set to join the leadership team later this month. Stout will report directly to chief executive Garry Crole and will be responsible for growth, operational excellence and adviser engagement. Moat recently, Stout was national business growth manager at AMP Advice where he rebuilt recruitment processes, launched adviser-facing digital assets and executed national roadshows to attract external advisers.
-
1 week ago | 
financialstandard.com.au | Eliza Bavin
Australia recorded a significant upswing in professional job vacancies, led by the financial services sector in March, according to the Robert Walters Global Jobs Index. The research found that professional white-collar vacancies in financial services in Australia jumped by 34% compared to February 2025, marking one of the strongest monthly performances this year. The surge in job vacancies places Australia in the top position globally over the US (+28.85%) and India (+22.58%).
-
1 week ago | 
financialstandard.com.au | Eliza Bavin
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has appointed Sarah Proudfoot as chief executive. Despite also conducting an external search, Proudfoot started with the ACCC in 2005 when she joined the agency's Infocentre.
-
1 week ago | 
financialstandard.com.au | Eliza Bavin
Magellan Financial Group was hit by $1 billion in net outflows in April, comprising $100 million in net retail outflows and $900 million in net institutional outflows. However, total assets under management (AUM) increased from $37.5 billion in March to $38.5 billion in April due to Magellan taking over as a responsible entity of the Vinva Global Alpha Extension Fund, which took effect on April 17.
