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17 March 2026
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ATO draws a line on SMSF compliance, economic growth does not help shares, an SMSF inequity, super strategies, more on risk management, and a letter from an old rocker.
Every SMSF should have 'industrial strength' administration that is timely, accurate, honest and in conformity with a vast array of rules and regulations.
The widely-held belief that good economic growth should be good for share prices, and low economic growth bad for them, is often demonstrated to work in reverse.
It is inequitable for the ATO to require an SMSF to make advance payments of the estimated tax for the year, but not pay refunds in advance based on estimated franking credits.
Thinking differently about how to get the best out of your super means taking time to talk through the options that meet your personal needs, and making it work for you. And don't associate 'pension' with 'old age'.
Aspiring to best practices in risk management is not simply a matter of calculating volatility or risk reporting. It is critical to protecting financial outcomes.
The affordability of seeing a movie, or cost of driving to the movie theatre, has not changed much over the 32 year period from 1981 to 2013. But the same cannot be said for ticket prices of concerts featuring aging rockers.
A more rational taxation system that supports home ownership but discourages asset speculation could provide greater financial support to first home buyers.
Our cost-of-living pressures go beyond the RBA: surging house prices, excessive migration, and expanding government programs, including the NDIS, are fuelling inflation, demanding bold, structural solutions.
The capital gains tax discount is under review, but debate should go beyond its size. Its original purpose, design flaws and distortions suggest Australia could adopt a better, more targeted approach.
One in five Australians die before retirement and most have not set up their super properly so their loved ones can benefit from all their hard work and savings.
This is my last edition as Editor of Firstlinks. I’m moving onto a new role though the newsletter will remain in good hands until my permanent replacement is found.
An ageing Australia is shifting the superannuation system’s focus from accumulation to the lifecycle of retirement. While these pressures have been anticipated for decades, they are now converging at scale and driving widespread industry change.