Indigenous Australians ‘locked out of Super system’
A consumer advocate group has warned First Nations Australians are frequently locked out of their superannuation.
A report has highlighted a series of issues affecting people living in rural and remote areas.
The research, carried out by Super Consumers Australia and Mob Strong Debt Help, said it found many First Nations people experienced discriminatory policies that often delayed access to savings.
“A lot of super funds have had a very take-it-or-leave-it approach to resolving issues,” Mark Holden, senior lawyer and policy advocate at Mob Strong Debt Help, told the ABC.
“If the client is not able to fill [in] that process, then they’re told that [the super fund] can’t help you any further.”
Only 69 per cent of First Nations people have superannuation, compared to 87 per cent of other Australians.
Super Consumers Australia has called for a review of super funds’ processes for accepting alternative identification and providing customer support for people who speak Indigenous languages.
Have you experienced problems accessing savings or your super?
Contact us: editor@firstnationsnews.com.au
