Thousands of GESB & UniSuper fund members are investing in ExxonMobil, an oil company with a long history of controversy in a range of areas. The company is in the Top 10 International Holdings of GESB Super’s ‘Balanced Conservative’ and ‘Growth’ plans (as at 31/03/11), and also UniSuper’s top 10 listed international shareholdings (most recent information available, listed at […]
Read MoreBarrick Gold sparks GESB Super controversy
Barrick Gold, acknowledged as one of the world’s most unethical companies, is in the Top 10 International Holdings of GESB Super’s ‘Balanced Conservative’ and ‘Growth’ plans (as at 31/03/11). Barrick is the largest gold miner in the world, and has been the subject of many documented studies of human rights abuses and environmental devastation globally, […]
Read MoreAre casinos worth a punt?
Nice article by Morningstar (Jeffrey Hutton) about whether to invest in casinos. Nice that is, if you have no ethics and don’t take into account the social problems created by problem gambling…not one mention in the article about whether investors should choose to profit from the misfortune of others. See the article: http://www.morningstar.com.au/stocks.mvc/article/are-casinos-worth-a-punt/3549/1 John Brett of […]
Read MoreUp to 1.4m Aussies invest in the world’s most unethical company via Australian Super
Australian Super has disclosed that it has a substantial investment in Monsanto Co, multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation recently voted the most unethical company in the world. Monsanto, a former manufacturer of Agent Orange, produces genetically modified crops, bovine growth hormone, and herbicides, and is accused of countless bribery and corruption incidents. The superannuation (pension) fund Australian Super invests […]
Read MoreWoodside Chairman dismisses Carbon Price disclosure resolution
Woodside Petroleum chairman Michael Chaney has told shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting in Perth that the Climate Advocacy Fund is a “ginger group”* in response to a resolution seeking disclosure of carbon pricing assumptions used by the company in evaluating projects and assessing the impairment of assets. * A ginger group is a […]
Read MoreNuns challenge Goldman Sachs over executive pay
Investing Responsibly isn’t just about environmental, social and health issues – it’s also about corporate governance. Holding companies accountable for their actions (in this case executive pay packets) is an issue that’s being tackled from the ground up: Lloyd Blankfein, head of Goldman Sachs, may believe he is “doing God’s work” but Sister Nora Nash has […]
Read MoreHow to find a Financial Adviser
Choosing a Financial Planner/ Adviser is an important personal matter. With conflicting information constantly in the media, consumers are confused about where to look. Your Bank? They only offer the Bank’s products. Your ‘not for profit’ Super fund? Their constant advertising is paid for from members’ funds, and they also are probably limited to discussing […]
Read MoreIs your Super fund supporting Cluster Bombs?
Cluster Bombs – not quite so super Earlier this year, the superannuation (pension) fund Australian Super, which invests $30 billion on behalf of 1.4 million working Australians, removed its ethical exclusion policy. As a result, the fund no longer excludes investment companies which derive more than 5 per cent of their revenues from the ‘manufacture […]
Read More
