2020

Senate COVID-19 Select Committee September 2020
Cate Wood's opening statement to the Committee addressing the Herstory of Superannuation, the Early Release Scheme.
Early Release of Super Fund Data Analysis September 2020Women in Super has accessed gender-based data for over 750,000 early release applications, amounting to a total of $5.5 billion.
Inquiry into family, domestic and sexual violence July 2020
In this submission, Women in Super comment on how experiences of family, domestic and sexual violence can lead to a lack of economic independence for women which can translate into poorer financial and retirement outcomes for such women.
Achieving a fairer retirement outcome for all Australians - including women January 2020
In 2019, the Government announced a Retirement Income Review to look into our current superannuation system. Women in Super prepared this submission to highlight the drivers and other factors relevant to inequitable gendered outcomes.

2019

Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Members' Interests First) Bill Submission July 2019
Women in Super provided this submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee in regards to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Members' Interests First) Bill 2019 which proposes removing default insurance cover from all superannuation fund members aged under 25 years, and members with an active account that has a balance of less than $6,000. Women in Super is opposed to the Bill.

2018

Treasury Laws Amendment (Protecting Superannuation) Bill Submission May 2018
Women in Super prepared this submission in response to calls for comment on the exposure draft Bill which contains amendments to the SIS Act, SUMLM Act and TAA 1953 with the aim of protecting individuals' retirement savings from erosion, ultimately increasing Australians' superannuation balances.

Early Release of Superannuation Benefits Submission February 2018

Women in Super prepared this submission in response to calls for comment on the consultation paper, ‘Early release of superannuation benefits: Under compassionate and financial hardship grounds and for victims of crime compensation’ released by Treasury.

Women and Retirement Savings - Why do women have less than half? February 2018
Karen Volpato, Senior Policy Advisor, AIST, explores why Australian women on average have approximately half the level of men’s superannuation savings for the Australian Shareholders' Association Equity magazine.

2017

Victorian Women Lawyers Portia Magazine - The Gender Super Gap December 2017
Women in Super Executive Officer, Sandra Buckley, and legalsuper Director and Unions NSW Assistant Secretary, Emma Maiden, share their views on the gender super gap and why women retire with less super than men for Portia Magazine, the annual journal and report of Victorian Women Lawyers.

2017 - 2018 Pre-Budget Submission December 2017
Our 2017 - 2018 pre-budget submission recommendations include providing an additional $1,000 contribution into superannuation for low income earners, ensure there are no further delays in increasing the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) to 12%, pay SG on the government Paid Parental Leave Scheme, remove the $450 monthly income threshold on SG contributions, track and publicise the gender super gap and give consideration to the sectors of the economy where compulsory super is not yet paid.

Senate Inquiry into Gender Segregation in the Workplace and its Impact on Women's Economic Equality June 2017
The Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee have released their report into Gender Segregation in the Workplace and its Impact on Women's Economic Equality. This report seeks to provide practical steps to deliver fairer workplaces and a more efficient, innovative economy.

Submission on Gender Segregation in the Workplace and its Impact on Women’s Economic Equality March 2017
Women in Super have provided this submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee. WIS is supportive of this inquiry and believes that addressing factors relating to gender segregation in Australia will lead to higher levels of participation by women in the economy and workplaces nationally. It will also lead to higher levels of financial security, retirement, health, happiness and overall wellbeing.

Submission to Senate Economics Legislation Committee on Non-Payment of the Superannuation Guarantee February 2017

Women in Super (WIS) have provided this submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee on the issue of non- or late payment of the Superannuation Guarantee (SG). WIS is supportive of this inquiry and recommends that further study and analysis of the gender impact of non-payment of the SG is conducted to fully understand the types of sectors and jobs most affected as well as further investigation into the impacts of late payment of the SG. WIS has also suggested that data sharing amongst statutory bodies and employers and superannuation funds could help to mitigate instances of non- and late payment of the SG. WIS has taken this opportunity to remind the Committee of the impracticalities of the $450 minimum monthly earnings threshold and reminded them to consider the extension of the SG to the self-employed sector.

2016

Submission to Senate Inquiry into Objective of Superannuation December 2016

Women in Super have provided the above submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee in regards to the proposed Superannuation (Objective) Bill 2016. In summary, WIS supports the concept behind developing primary and subsidiary objectives of superannuation to help provide clarity. However, WIS does not support the proposed Primary Objective of Superannuation. The absence of a reference to adequacy or the standard of living we expect in retirement means any ‘statement of compatibility’ can ignore qualitative outcomes and the absence of specific reference to women means the impact of changes on the superannuation gender gap will not be analysed. WIS continues to be concerned about the persistently inequitable superannuation outcomes experienced by women and their high levels of Age Pension dependency and poverty in retirement.
Domestic Violence Employer Charter October 2016
Women in Super has advocated for better retirement outcomes for women for more than 20 years and during the 2015 Conference of Major Super Funds, we resolved to make a contribution to addressing family violence as part of this commitment. The Women in Super Domestic Violence Working Group developed the Charter that was launched during the 2016 National Road Show which featured Rosie Batty as the keynote speaker. Rosie highlighted the importance of taking a stand against family violence and the Women in Super Domestic Violence Charter gives employers in the industry a chance to do so.
Submission in response to the Discussion Paper ‘Objective of Superannuation’ April 2016

WIS welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Australian Government on the Objective of Superannuation Discussion Paper. WIS makes comments in the context of our objective of improving the retirement income outcomes of women, and the issues that most affect women in interacting with the superannuation and retirement incomes systems.

Submission to State of Victoria for Gender Equality Strategy March 2016
WIS participated in Victoria’s first ever Gender Equality Strategy for the State of Victoria which was launched by the Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson. The aim of this strategy is to guide the state’s actions and priorities for achieving equal social, civic and economic participation for women in Victoria. This is part of the Minister’s program to highlight the link between violence and attitudes towards women.

2016 - 2017 Pre-Budget Submission February 2016

Our 2016/17 pre-budget submission recommendations include better targeted super tax concessions; adequate Age Pension; focus on older Australians and enabling them to 'catch up' on missed years of super due to caring responsibilities; an increase in SG to 12% and a gender lens to proposed changes so the impact on women is understood.

2015

Senate Inquiry into the Economic Security of Women in Retirement Submission October 2015
In August 2015 a Senate Inquiry into Women's Economic Security in Retirement was launched under the stewardship of Sen.Jenny McAllister. In addition to appearing before the Senate Inquiry in October 2015, Women in Super lodged a comprehensive submission with our recommendations for how the current superannuation, tax and benefits systems can be improved for women.

ReThink: Tax White Paper Submission June 2015
On 30 March 2015 the Treasurer released ‘Re:Think’ – the tax discussion paper focusing on delivering a better tax system for a better Australia. WIS made 10 recommendations to the Treasurer, and our full submission details the improvements we would welcome.

2015 - 2016 Budget Submission February 2015
Submission to the Treasurer: Commonwealth Budget 2015-16.

2014

Better Regulation and Governance, Enhanced Transparency & Improved Competition in Superannuation Submission February 2014
Submission to The Treasury on the governance structures of superannuation funds.

2014 - 2015 Budget Submission January 2014
Submission to The Treasury in preparation for the Commonwealth Budget 2014-15.

2013

Minerals Resource Rent Tax Repeal and Other Measures Bill October 2013
Submission to Treasury regarding the repeal of the MRRT, including the repeal of the Low Income Superannuation Contribution (LISC) and the re-phasing of the nine-12 per cent SG increase.
Charter of Superannuation Adequacy and Sustainability and Council of Superannuation Custodians June 2013
Submission to Treasury on the development of the Charter of Superannuation Adequcy and Sustainability and the creation of a Council of Superannuation Custodians.
Paid Parental Leave Scheme Review Submission June 2013
Submission to the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs' review of the Government's Paid Parental Leave Scheme, under the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth).

Superannuation Concessional Contributions Caps May 2013
Submission to Treasury regarding the exposure draft of legislation implementing the concessional contribution cap increase for older individuals.