New book sheds light on the passion and politics behind Australia’s $1.3 billion industry

Australia’s $1.3 billion superannuation industry has changed the lives of millions of Australians but, until now, very little has been written about the passions and politics behind our world-renowned retirement income system.

‘A SUPER HISTORY’ by Sydney financial journalist and commentator, Christine St Anne, more than fills this gap by providing a fascinating and at times controversial account of the shakers and movers behind the industry.

Starting with the union struggle for superannuation, St Anne then follows the political struggle to legislate for the compulsory superannuation, and the phenomenal growth of the industry and in particular the industry funds. Along the way, she shares the inside stories of super pioneers, Paul Keating and Bill Kelty, as well as those of more than 40 other key players – both past and current – all of whom were passionate that the history needed to be recorded.

‘A SUPER HISTORY’ also puts Australia’s superannuation system in an international context. While many countries – particularly in Europe – are currently battling enormous unfunded pension liabilities and a disgruntled ageing workforce, our super system is widely regarded as having protected Australia from greater fall-out from the global financial crisis.
Given the current debates on lifting the super contribution limit to 12%, the dramatic impact of the GFC on the retirement savings of many baby-boomers plus the increasing focus on the governance of the super industry, ‘A SUPER HISTORY’ (published by Major Street) is a must-read for anyone who seeks a better understanding of why super exists and whether it has been a good thing for all Australians.
Praise for A SUPER HISTORY
“this tale of the passions and politics behind the establishment of industry super funds will explain to many millions of Australians how they became members of a world-leading, $1.4 trillion plus system.” Barrie Dunstan

“.. a compelling story of a remarkable reform.” Tony Featherstone

“A fascinating and at times controversial account of the evolution of super and the historic role that the unions and Paul Keating played in super’s spectacular growth.” Trish Power
“An inspiration to policy-makers currently battling with seeming intractable issues as diverse as climate change and industrial relations.” James Kirby

Margaret Lomas’s Investing in the Right Property Now! Reprint due 1st February

Margaret Lomas’s best-selling book, Investing in the Right Property Now! is back in stock from 1st February. Margaret’s new book, her first for three years, has been as popular as her earlier books, quickly reprinting within months of its release.

If you are interested in starting to invest in property or already invest, you will find Margaret’s books and TV show (on SKY Business) invaluable resources.

Margaret does not agree with the doomsayers that the 2012 property market will crash. She holds that there are always good areas to buy somewhere in Australia. You just have to know where to look. Investing in the Right Property Now! will show you how to find good investment properties that suit your investor profile

If you haven’t picked up a copy yet, look out for the book, now back in stock.

The art of Home Staging

One of the first books we published at Major Street just a couple of years was the “Australian Guide to Home Staging” by Katrina Maes of Staged Homes. In her business life Katrina will review your property before you put it in the market and advise you on how to get top dollar, by de-cluttering, cleaning, fixing up, re-arranging furniture and presenting the home in the best possible way. There’s a real knack to this, but in her book Katrina shares her exertise and shows you what to do so that you can stage your home for sale yourself.

I took a quick look at Katrina’s new website today www.stagedhomes.com.au and it is such a beautiful site. There are lots of ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots of rooms and homes she has staged. The new-look site is so sophisticated and has a real “wow” effect. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, having seen what an eye for detail and presentation Katrina has.

I’ve known several clients who have enlisted Katrina’s help to stage their home for sale and the sale price they achieve have far out-weighed expectations.

Margaret Lomas’s Investing in the Right Property Now! Reprint due 1st February

Margaret Lomas’s best-selling book, Investing in the Right Property Now! is back in stock from 1st February. Margaret’s new book, her first for three years, has been as popular as her earlier books, quickly reprinting within months of its release.

If you are interested in starting to invest in property or already invest, you will find Margaret’s books and TV show (on SKY Business) invaluable resources.

Margaret does not agree with the doomsayers that the 2012 property market will crash. She holds that there are always good areas to buy somewhere in Australia. You just have to know where to look. Investing in the Right Property Now! will show you how to find good investment properties that suit your investor profile

If you haven’t picked up a copy yet, look out for the book, now back in stock.

Focus and Leadership in Business

There’s a new Australian business book out by Nicholas Barnett, GPS for Your Organisation. As 2012 looks set to be another year of uncertainty for businesses globally, managers would benefit from reading this book which can help energise employees and build sustainable high performance.

GPS stands for Guidance and Positioning Statements. The author shows how you can articulate your company’s aspiration, core purpose, values and goals in less than 30 words to develop a GPS that can become part of its DNA.

Ken Blanchard, co-author of the best-selling One Minute Manager, wrote the foreword, congratulating the author and agreeing that “with the clarity of an effective an organisations GPS, we can all be more successful as leaders in creating high performing organisations.”

There’s sure to be a lot of buzz about the book as the media and business leaders take a look at it. It will be in book shops around the country and available for www.majorstreet.com.au

Superannuation in Australia – A Super History

Very excited today to receive advanced copies of a fascinating new book by Christine St Anne, “A Super History”. Barrie Dunstan, senior journalist at the Financial Review, heralds it as telling “…the passions and the politics behind the establishment of industry super funds [which] will explain to many millions of Australians how they became members of a world-leading, $1.3 trillion plus system”.

It won’t be available in book stores until early March and there will be a lot of media interest in this, the first comprehensive book on Australia’s superannuation system.

New stats from the ATO on Self Managed Super Funds

New Australian Tax Office stats reveal the growing popularity of investing in property through self managed superannuation. SMSF trustees are getting younger with the biggest increase in the under 35 group.

Investing in non-residential property through a self managed super fund is far more popular than investing in residential property. Not surprising really when you understand the benefits this strategy can offer small business owners.

Martin Murden of Partners, is an expert in the subject of investing in property through self managed super and he has written a book on the subject. It can be a tricky area of investment to understand, particularly if you are borrowing to fund the investment. His book is called “Investing in Property Through Your Self Managed Superannuation” and it is available from all good book stores.