SMC welcomes introduction of new laws to prevent child sex abusers from hiding assets in super

The Super Members Council welcomes the introduction of new laws to Parliament today to prevent convicted child sex abusers from hiding their assets in super to avoid paying compensation to victims.

The Survivors Law bill is an important step toward ensuring the superannuation system cannot be misused by convicted perpetrators to shield assets and avoid lawful court ordered compensation.

Superannuation exists to serve the long-term financial interests of Australians — it should never be a safe haven for those seeking to evade justice.

For too long, survivors have faced the deeply distressing reality that even when courts have recognised the harm done to them, perpetrators have been able to frustrate compensation orders by locking money away in super.

The legislation responds directly to those concerns by strengthening transparency, reducing uncertainty, and improving enforcement mechanisms so the system works fairly and as intended.

By allowing victims and survivors to seek access to personal or salary sacrifice contributions where compensation remains unpaid, while maintaining appropriate safeguards, the legislation will deter the deliberate shifting of assets into super while preserving the retirement income role of compulsory super.

The Council welcomes the Government’s commitment to review the operation of the law after commencement to ensure it is operating as intended for victim‑survivors.

We look forward to working constructively with both Government and Parliament as this legislation progresses, and to ensure its implementation is effective, proportionate and focused on restoring fairness, dignity and justice for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

“No survivor should be denied justice because a perpetrator has been able to deliberately hide assets in the super system to evade the law,” says Super Members Council CEO Misha Schubert.

“These reforms strike the right balance — they put victims and survivors first, strengthen accountability for perpetrators, and protect the integrity of super as a system that exists to benefit members, not criminals.”