From time to time, GESB prepares media statements to highlight GESB's performance and how GESB interprets and implements industry changes. You can read the media releases prepared in 2009:

• GESB finds raising the pension age is the last resort
  1 December 2009
  National research commissioned by GESB, the largest WA-based super provider, has found that Australians think raising the pension age should be the government's last resort in funding retirement for our ageing population.
  Read full media release
• Encourage better super knowledge says GESB
  23 November 2009
  National research commissioned by GESB has found a disconnect between how accountable Australians feel for building adequate retirement savings and the extent to which they think they should educate themselves about super and how much they will need to fund their desired lifestyle in later life.
  Read full media release
• GESB's CEO reappointed to ASFA Board
  13 November 2009
  Michele Dolin, CEO of GESB, has been reappointed to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) Board for a third term. Ms Dolin was reappointed as Director to represent the interests of ASFA's public sector funds members in Australia.
  Read full media release
• GESB appoints International Equities managers
  4 November 2009
  GESB, the largest WA-based super provider, has appointed Fidelity, Edinburgh Partners and Sarasin & Partners to help manage its $2.5 billion international equities portfolio.
  Read full media release
• Simplify regulatory environment for super trustees says GESB
  2 November 2009
  The restrictive, complex and changing nature of the regulatory framework governing superannuation affects trustees' ability to engage members and drive efficiencies that benefit them, according to GESB, the largest WA-based super provider.
  Read full media release
• GESB launches free simple advice service
  6 October 2009
  GESB, the largest WA-based super provider, has launched a free Simple Advice service¹, offering its 310,000 members a greater choice in how they access personalised financial advice on their choice of investment plan and contributions to super.
  Read full media release
• GESB statement on CEO remuneration
  2 October 2009
  The Chairman of GESB, Mr Phil Harvey wishes to advise that the Chief Executive Officer of GESB did not receive a salary increase during 2008/09, as has been reported. The CEO's current salary level was determined by the Board in January 2008 and has been frozen since that time.
  Read full media release
• Take control of your financial future with free GESB webinars
  18 September 2009
  GESB, the largest WA-based super provider, is launching a free online financial literacy series in October to help its 310,000 members across the state make sense of super.  The webinar series, which members can register for from today, will take people through the essential steps of building wealth and planning for retirement and complement the range of free financial education and online resources that GESB already offers.
  Read full media release
• GESB appoints head of communications
  9 September 2009
  GESB, the largest WA-based super provider, has appointed Colin Neathercoat as Head of Communications. Mr Neathercoat will have responsibility for leading the organisation's award-winning corporate and marketing communications teams.
  Read full media release
• GESB appoints new marketing communications agency
  4 September 2009
  GESB, the largest WA-based super provider, has appointed The Brand Agency as its new marketing communications agency. The appointment, which is effective immediately, was made following a comprehensive competitive tender process.
  Read full media release
• GESB appoints investment strategist
  25 August 2009
  GESB, the largest WA-based super provider, has announced the appointment of Bill Dwyer as Investment Strategist with responsibility for formulating and managing the Fund's Australian and international equity asset class strategies and multi-manager line-ups. This follows the recent appointment of Steven McKenna to GESB's investment team.
  Read full media release
• GESB appoints senior investment strategist
  19 August 2009
  GESB, the largest WA-based super provider, has announced the appointment of Steve McKenna as a Senior Investment Strategist with responsibility for debt and alternative investments. Mr McKenna will be part of the investment team managing GESB's growing $9 billion investment portfolio.
  Read full media release
• GESB set to capitalise on unlisted opportunities
  9 August 2009
  GESB, the largest WA-based superannuation provider, will take advantage of its highly-liquid investment portfolio and its measured capacity to acquire less liquid assets in the coming months. With many distressed investors looking to sell unlisted illiquid assets at a reduced price, GESB is identifying opportunities to obtain these assets at discounted prices.
  Read full media release
• GESB wins prestigious national marketing award
  31 July 2009
  GESB, the largest WA-based super provider, has won a major award at the 2009 Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia Communications Awards held in Sydney this week. GESB was presented with the Integrated Campaign of the Year Award for its campaign promoting GESB Financial Advice, created in partnership with its creative agency Marketforce and digital agency Market United.
  Read full media release
• GESB responds to ASIC's announcement on improved access to simple advice for superannuation fund members
  9 July 2009
  Fantastic news for members on easy access to advice. Michele Dolin, CEO of GESB said: "Today's announcement is an exciting development and long-awaited by the superannuation industry. Members have been pleading for easy access to advice about issues like salary sacrifice, insurance cover and investment options.
  Read full media release
• GESB supports industry call to end financial planning commissions
  18 June 2009
  GESB has added its support to calls for the financial planning industry to stop selling products that are oriented towards commission payments. The Investment and Financial Services Association (IFSA), a key industry body, has recommended that its members should stop designing investment and super products that pay automatic upfront and trail commissions to financial planners.
  Read full media release
• Federal budget changes to superannuation co-contribution scheme to cost Western Australians $150 million
  12 May 2009
  Changes to the superannuation co-contribution system announced in today's Federal Budget could have a severe impact on the voluntary retirement savings of thousands of Western Australians, particularly women. Fabian Ross, Head of Wealth Management at GESB, WA's largest local superannuation fund, said the reduction in the government's matched contribution under the scheme would impact an important element of retirement planning.
  Read full media release
• Take a long-term view with your superannuation
  6 March 2009
  The market downturn will begin to hit home as people receive their superannuation statements over the next month. It has been a challenging time for investors and poor market performance has continued to affect superannuation account balances throughout Australia. GESB, Western Australia's largest superannuation fund, advises people not to panic but rather to take a long-term view of their superannuation investment.
  Read full media release

Interested in a earlier media release?  See the list of media releases for 2008 or 2007.