12 April 2013
Super funds investing in Australia’s future economic prosperity: ASFA
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) notes the announcement of the NSW Ports Consortium’s winning bid for the long-term lease of Port Botany and Port Kembla.
ASFA CEO Ms Pauline Vamos says that while superannuation funds are sometimes criticised for not investing enough in infrastructure, this is a good example of where they do.
“Superannuation funds play an important role in the financial sector and their primary consideration is ensuring is that they choose investments which are in the best interest of their members. Super funds, by nature, are long-term investors and therefore infrastructure investments are attractive because they are often less volatile than other assets such as shares.”
“Increasingly, Australian governments and other participants in financial markets are looking at the potential of superannuation funds to be core investors in major deals and projects. Given the superannuation pool of funds is $1.5 trillion and growing, it will increasingly play an important part in financing infrastructure and other productive investments in Australia and overseas. This will have benefits for both fund members and the Australian economy now and into the future,” said Ms Vamos.
For further information, please contact:
Lisa Chikarovski, Media Manager, 0451 949 300
About ASFA
ASFA is the peak policy, research and advocacy body for Australia’s superannuation industry. It is a not-for-profit, sector-neutral, and non-party political national organisation whose aim is to advance effective retirement outcomes for members of funds through research, advocacy and the development of policy and industry best practice.