May 2015 Issue 104

The importance of asset allocation Asset allocation can be one of the most significant performance drivers for your investment portfolio, but it can be difficult to determine the right mix of assets classes to invest in without access to quality research, insights and specialist advice. So, what is asset allocation? Asset allocation is basically the division of your investment portfolio...

Two of the most common questions we get asked as accountants are: 1. What is involved in building a property portfolio? 2. What are some tax advantages of property and how do you maximise them? The media regularly features amazing tales of rags to riches landlords with fat property portfolios, particularly during expansion or boom phases of the property cycle....

Attorney-General Simon Corbell has this month launched the newly named Canberra Community Law, previously known as the Welfare Rights and Legal Centre. The centre, serving the most disadvantaged in the community, has changed its name to recognise the diversity of services on offer. "The name change and the associated new website will modernise the image of the centre and better...

Employers are increasingly concerned at the red tape cost of selecting workplace super funds for their employees from an unranked list of 120 MySuper funds. The selection process, set to impose a financial and legal burden on employers, is estimated to cost $1.8 billion nationally according to new research, falling most heavily on small businesses. David Whiteley, Chief Executive of...

There is emerging discussion that superannuation tax concessions need to be more efficient and better targeted to deliver a sustainable super system. The Federal Labor Opposition in April highlighted the growing discussion around the need to put super tax concessions on a fairer footing. Tax concessions on earnings for retirees are growing at more than twice the rate of the...

Construction has commenced for the 2nd Site of Project Independence at the Latham site in Wanliss Street. Project Independence is a not-for-profit initiative building housing in Canberra that provides independent living and home ownership for people living with intellectual disabilities. The Board of Project Independence along with Minister for Disability Joy Burch and Minister for Housing Yvette Berry celebrated with...