21 July 2025

Recently trending

Raising the GST to 15%7 examples of how the new super tax will be calculated The revolt against Baby Boomer wealth Are franking credits hurting Australia’s economy?Here's what should replace the $3 million super tax

Australian Investors Association: "Australia's foremost independent financial newsletter for professionals and self-directed investors."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

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

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!"

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

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

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."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

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

Home / 497

Edition: 497

1-8 out of 8 results.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 497 with weekend update

23 February 2023
97

The Australian super system is "distorted by a very small number of Australians taking advantage of a system" according to the Finance Minister. Shame on them for leaving their money in a government-designed scheme. And why does the AFR think SMSFs are "plummeting"? They are thriving.

Lesson 1: focus on the long term, Lesson 2: see Lesson 1

Graham Hand
22 February 2023
5

In this exclusive interview, three global fund managers come together to make the case for long-term, active portfolio management in more difficult times. Passive can no longer rely simply on strong market momentum.

Michael Rice: Quality of Advice Review is only a start

Michael Rice
22 February 2023
9

Opening the market for advice makes sense but the QAR is weak on consumer safeguards. Financial advice legislation should be tailored to the risk of harm for consumers, identifying complicated, risky strategies.

The super wars revisited: Vanguard vs AustralianSuper

Annika Bradley
22 February 2023
6

Vanguard has thrown down the gauntlet to the superannuation industry by launching its Super SaveSmart accumulation offering. How does its current offering stack up against local juggernauts such as AustralianSuper?

Reports of tech's death are greatly exaggerated

Andrew Macken
22 February 2023
1

Many investors have written off the tech sector after last year's bloodbath. But tech is entering a new phase of growth and dominance, fuelled by innovation and AI, and there are compelling ways to play this theme.

Not all private markets are ‘volatility laundering’

Simon Petris Ph D
22 February 2023
4

Are super fund allocations to private markets a form of 'volatility laundering' as one commentator suggests? Perhaps, but it's crucial to distinguish between different segments of private markets for a complete picture.

Prepare for the shifting sands in personal taxation

Rodney Brown
22 February 2023
25

The Government is preparing the ground for changes relating to both superannuation and personal taxation. The tax amendments in the coming Budget may be modest but several critical areas face greater scrutiny.

Two steps forward, one step back for investors

David Booth
22 February 2023
3

The past three years seem representative of the history of stock returns: two steps forward and one step back. It provides important lessons about how you should prepare your investment portfolio for future market outcomes.

Firstlinks is sponsored by:

Most viewed in recent weeks

Raising the GST to 15%

Treasurer Jim Chalmers aims to tackle tax reform but faces challenges. Previous reviews struggled due to political sensitivities, highlighting the need for comprehensive and politically feasible change.

Noel Whittaker
9 July 2025

7 examples of how the new super tax will be calculated

You've no doubt heard about Division 296. These case studies show what people at various levels above the $3 million threshold might need to pay the ATO, with examples ranging from under $500 to more than $35,000.

ASFA
18 June 2025

The revolt against Baby Boomer wealth

The $3m super tax could be put down to the Government needing money and the wealthy being easy targets. It’s deeper than that though and this looks at the factors behind the policy and why more taxes on the wealthy are coming.

James Gruber
11 June 2025

Are franking credits hurting Australia’s economy?

Business investment and per capita GDP have languished over the past decade and the Labor Government is conducting inquiries to find out why. Franking credits should be part of the debate about our stalling economy.

James Gruber
18 June 2025

Here's what should replace the $3 million super tax

With Div. 296 looming, is there a smarter way to tax superannuation? This proposes a fairer, income-linked alternative that respects compounding, ensures predictability, and avoids taxing unrealised capital gains.

Tony Dillon
2 July 2025

The rubbery numbers behind super tax concessions

In selling the super tax, Labor has repeated Treasury claims of there being $50 billion in super tax concessions annually, mostly flowing to high-income earners. This figure is vastly overstated.

Tony Dillon
25 June 2025

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.