More than 20 key super industry and Indigenous community stakeholders will participating in the 2016 Indigenous Superannuation Summit on November 4 in Melbourne to focus on improving  superannuation outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

 The Summit – to be hosted by Mercer – is the second summit of the Indigenous Superannuation Working Group (ISWG), a cross industry commitment to improve access and engagement in the superannuation system among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 Chair of the ISWG and AIST Executive Manager, Governance & Stewardship, Eva Scheerlinck said that the Summit would not just focus on challenges, but also stories of success.

 “There are many organisations that are already making a difference to superannuation outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” said Ms Scheerlinck. “We hope to draw on the various expertise in the room and build partnerships to further improve access, engagement and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

 The stakeholders include ten financial counsellors/financial capability workers from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities including those in Katherine, Townsville, Cairns, and Gippsland.

 “These counsellors have a wealth of knowledge and many stories to share,” said Ms Scheerlinck. “Often the compounding effect of the issues encountered that makes people step away from accessing their own retirement savings.”

 Other speakers include President of the Australian Human Rights Commission and acting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Professor Gillian Triggs, National Manager of Reconciliation Australia, Darryl Monaghan, and First Nations Foundation CEO, Amanda Young.  The full program is available here.