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Home / Author: Graham Hand

Graham Hand

Super complex: the advice gift keeps on giving

The increasing complexity of super would leave the fathers of Australia’s system wondering what has happened to their brainchild. Advisers and clients are struggling with the complexity before the looming deadlines.

Lessons for roboadvice in Centrelink debacle

Centrelink is facing a robo-debt backlash after using computers to check ATO records, replacing the usual human interaction. Likewise, roboadvice algorithms need to know more about the circumstances of clients.

Howard Marks on expert opinions as a coin toss

The memo from Howard Marks titled 'Expert Opinion' explains how forecasting is more art than science, and we give too much weight to many expert opinions which are little more than a 50-50 guess.

Your best reads of 2016

It will soon be the time of year when people turn their mind to some casual reading and enjoy a quiet moment. Tell us the best book you read in 2016. It could be an oldie or a newie, but let's get a reading list going.

Seniors tax and moving money outside super

Given the proportion of people over 65 paying income tax has halved in the last 20 years, the structure of seniors tax may be next for reform. Should money be left inside or outside super for those who can access it?

Startups, innovation and the Australia-Israel bridge

The number one requirement for a successful startup is resilience in the face of adversity. What lessons can Australian innovators learn from early-stage Israeli ventures, and what are the chances of success?

Latest Updates

Weekly Editorial

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 628 with weekend update

Australian investors have been pouring money into US stocks this year, just as they start to underperform the rest of the world. Is this a sign of things to come? This looks at 50 years of data to see what happens next.

  • 11 September 2025
Exchange traded products

Are LICs licked?

LICs are continuing to struggle with large discounts and frustrated investors are wondering whether it’s worth holding onto them. This explains why the next 6-12 months will be make or break for many LICs.

Retirement

We need a better scheme to help superannuation victims

The Compensation Scheme of Last Resort fails families hit by First Guardian and Shield losses, as well as advisers who are being wrongly blamed for the saga. It’s time for a fair, faster, universal super levy solution.

Investment strategies

5 charts every retiree must see…

Retirement can be daunting for Australians facing financial uncertainty. Understand your goals, longevity challenges, inflation impacts, market risks, and components of retirement income with these crucial charts.

Economy

How bread vs rice moulded history

Does a country's staple crop decide elements of its destiny? The second order effects of being a wheat or rice growing country could explain big differences in culture, societal norms and economic development.

Investment strategies

Small caps are catching fire - for good reason

Small caps just crashed the party like John McClane did in the movie, Die Hard - August delivered explosive gains. With valuations at historic lows, long-term investors could be set for a sequel worth watching.

Defensive growth for an age of deglobalisation, debt and disorder

Today’s new world order appears likely to lead to a lower return, higher risk investment environment. But this asset class looks especially well placed to survive, thrive, and deliver attractive returns to investors.

Economy

Will we choose a four-day working week?

The allure of a four-day week reflects a yearning for more balance in our lives. Yet the reliability of studies touting a lift in productivity is questionable and society may not be ready for such a shift anyway.

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