3 June 2026

Recently trending

The ultimate superannuation EOFY checklist 2026 Noel Whittaker’s take on the budget Australia has no death duties. Technically.Lithium's rally is real this time – but no-one trusts it Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 662 with weekend update

Reader: "I subscribe to two newsletters. This is my first read of the week. Thank you. Excellent and please keep up the good work!"

John Pearce, Chief Investment Officer, Unisuper: "Out of the (many many) investmentrelated emails I get, Cuffelinks is one that I always open."

Reader: "Best innovation I have seen whilst an investor for 25 years. The writers are brilliant. A great publication which I look forward to."

Andrew Buchan, Partner, HLB Mann Judd: "I have told you a thousand times it's the best newsletter."

Reader: "An island of professionalism in an ocean of shallow self-interest. Well done!"

Reader: "Love it, just keep doing what you are doing. It is the right length too, any longer and it might become a bit overwhelming."

Rob Henshaw: "When I open my computer each day it's the first link I click - a really great read."

Reader: "It's excellent so please don't pollute the content with boring mainstream financial 'waffle' and adverts for stuff we don't want!"

Reader: "Carry on as you are - well done. The average investor/SMSF trustee needs all the help they can get."

Reader: " Finding a truly independent and interesting read has been magical for me. Please keep it up and don't change!"

Ian Silk, CEO, AustralianSuper: "It has become part of my required reading: quality thinking, and (mercifully) to the point."

Reader: "The BEST in the game because of diversity and not aligned to financial products. Stands above all the noise."

Eleanor Dartnall, AFA Adviser of the Year, 2014: "Our clients love your newsletter. Your articles are avidly read by advisers and they learn a great deal."

Jonathan Hoyle, CEO, Stanford Brown: "A fabulous publication. The only must-read weekly publication for the Australian wealth management industry."

Reader: "Great resource. Cuffelinks is STILL the one and only weekly newsletter I regularly read."

Steve: "The best that comes into our world each week. This is the only one that is never, ever canned before fully being reviewed by yours truly."

Don Stammer, leading Australian economist: "Congratulations to all associated. It deserves the good following it has."

Reader: "Congratulations on a great focussed news source. Australia has a dearth of good quality unbiased financial and wealth management news."

Professor Robert Deutsch: "This has got to be the best set of articles on economic and financial matters. Always something worthwhile reading in Firstlinks. Thankyou"

Reader: "I can quickly sort the items that I am interested in, then research them more fully. It is also a regular reminder that I need to do this."

Reader: "Is one of very few places an investor can go and not have product rammed down their throat. Love your work!"

Reader: "Keep it up - the independence is refreshing and is demonstrated by the variety of well credentialed commentators."

John Egan, Egan Associates: "My heartiest congratulations. Your panel of contributors is very impressive and keep your readers fully informed."

Noel Whittaker, author and financial adviser: "A fabulous weekly newsletter that is packed full of independent financial advice."

Ian Kelly, CFP, BTACS Financial Services: "Probably the best source of commentary and information I have seen over the past 20 years."

Scott Pape, author of The Barefoot Investor: "I'm an avid reader of Cuffelinks. Thanks for the wonderful resource you have here, it really is first class."

David Goldschmidt, Chartered Accountant: "I find this a really excellent newsletter. The best I get. Keep up the good work!"

Home / 191

Edition: 191

1-7 out of 7 results.

Edition 191

24 February 2017

At the SMSF Association Conference last week, Minister Kelly O'Dwyer quoted from a Cuffelinks article by Paul Keating. The context was his surprise at the growth of SMSFs, but another part of the article was overlooked. He wrote, "the SGC (Superannuation Guarantee Charge) was not introduced as a welfare measure to supplement the incomes of the low paid. It was principally designed for Middle Australia, those earning ... one to two times average weekly ordinary time earnings ... for Middle Australia, the SGC and salary sacrifice was and is the way forward."

Stop the tinkering and bring on the ideas

Martin Fahy
23 February 2017
7

ASFA chief calls on baby boomers to redefine retirement, doubts fintech will disrupt, loathes dinner party freakonomics, believes brands work and wants a market full of fresh ideas not policy tinkering.

Super complex: the advice gift keeps on giving

Graham Hand
23 February 2017
12

The increasing complexity of super would leave the fathers of Australia’s system wondering what has happened to their brainchild. Advisers and clients are struggling with the complexity before the looming deadlines.

Home is where the care is

Rachel Lane
23 February 2017
3

Changes to Home Care Packages effective 27 February 2017 allow care recipients to choose their own care providers and offer better portability when relocating.

Unwelcome consequences of US trade policies

Vimal Gor
23 February 2017

Trump’s vision for US trade policy might suit US corporates and Middle America, but the rest of the world will suffer the consequences. Income inequality and environmental setbacks are other unwelcome effects.

‘Episodic’ market volatility ahead for 2017

Simon Ho
23 February 2017
2

Contrary to popular understanding, markets have been below normal volatility levels in the last year, but it might be time to prepare portfolios for greater volatility and a potential downturn in 2018.

When a company is a money pit

Nimalan Govender, Peter Bull
23 February 2017
3

Not all business use their capital in the most productive way, and investors need to recognise when companies are struggling to generate cash flows to pay off debts when due.

Firstlinks is sponsored by:

Most viewed in recent weeks

The ultimate superannuation EOFY checklist 2026

Here is a checklist of 28 important issues you should address before June 30 to ensure your SMSF or other super fund is in order and that you are making the most of the strategies available.

Liam Shorte
29 April 2026

Noel Whittaker’s take on the budget

Marketed as a fix for inequality and housing affordability, the latest budget instead delivers a tangle of tax changes that leave everyday Australians worse off.

Noel Whittaker
20 May 2026

Australia has no death duties. Technically.

Australia may not levy formal death duties, but a growing web of tax measures is quietly shaping what wealth passes between generations. Now, the 2026 budget adds another layer.

Rachael Rofe
20 May 2026

Lithium's rally is real this time – but no-one trusts it

The lithium rally mirrors the early-2010s tech stock surge, with demand set to double by 2030. Supply has been slow to respond, creating a market deficit for future tech like humanoid robotics and solid-state batteries.

David Tuckwell
6 May 2026

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 662 with weekend update

The debate over the budget is increasingly shaped by frustration and perceptions of unfairness, rather than clear-eyed assessment of policy outcomes.

Mark LaMonica CFA
14 May 2026

Two months into retirement

A retirement researcher's take on retirement and her focus on each of her six resource buckets to stay engaged during the transition and beyond.

Dr Joanne Earl
29 April 2026

Alliances

Site Map

About Firstlinks

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.