Sonas Wealth

18/05/2026

Huge Win for Victim-Survivors:

Child Abusers Can No Longer Hide Superannuation Assets

Important legal update for our clients and community:

The Government has officially passed vital legislation to ensure justice is served when court-ordered compensation goes unpaid.

Under these new reforms, victims and survivors of child sexual abuse can now access an offender’s personal or salary-sacrifice superannuation contributions if their compensation remains unpaid after 12 months.

Key details of the legislation include:
🔹 Asset Tracking: Victim-survivors can apply to the ATO to identify eligible superannuation assets before going to court.
🔹 Retrospective Reach: Unpaid compensation orders made before this law started still qualify if they are legally enforceable and linked to child sexual abuse convictions.
🔹 Bankruptcy Protection: Amendments to the Bankruptcy Act 1966 mean offenders cannot wipe out these compensation debts through bankruptcy.

While this bipartisan change is a massive step forward, more work needs to be done. Currently, an individual who kills their partner is still legally allowed to receive that partner's superannuation and life insurance benefits—even when minor children are left behind. We hope Parliament addresses this dangerous loophole next.

12/05/2026

This is always one of the best summaries of the winners and losers from the Budget. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-12/federal-budget-2026-winners-and-losers/106639966

In the first full budget since Labor's landslide election victory last year, the government is putting some money back in workers' pockets and increasing taxes on investors.

12/05/2026

Don't panic about tonight's budget before being fully informed. Here is some pre-budget analysis so you can be better prepared with some worked examples based on what has been leaked already.

By Liam Shorte — The SMSF Coach Updated 13 May 2026 with corrections after closer reading of the Budget papers and Treasury fact sheets. Well, the rumour mill was right and some people are panicking, so here are my considered thoughts now that the Budget papers and Treasury fact sheets have been d...

03/05/2026

Fidelity’s annual Analyst Survey brings together the views of Fidelity International’s research team, drawing on its global footprint and shaped by thousands of company meetings, research notes, and conversations across our asset classes.

Each year, the survey focuses on the key questions investment decision makers are asking, helping investors understand how themes could play out across portfolios.

In this year’s report, we explore:
- Where emerging market investors can find areas of resilience
- Why the AI story has a long way to run
- Where corporate confidence is high and how inflation and geopolitics are tempering the outlook

https://www.fidelity.com.au/deeper-dives/analyst-survey/fidelity-analyst-survey-2026/

Any thoughts? Especially on how far AI has to run. Are you loading up in the Magnificent 7 again?

Fidelity International (Fidelity) is one of the world's leading asset managers, with a global network spanning the US, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

24/04/2026

Another blunder by Centrelink? LIHCC and possibly CHSC Cards cancelled automatically without notice to recipients. Ask you clients or parents who may be affected by deeming rate changes to check their myGov Centrelink Service.

22/04/2026

Our latest SMSF Trustee Education Series is for those thinking about an SMSF or where someone is recommending one to you. Make sure it is the right option for you.

New Blog Post from SMSF Coach on R11 Key Considerations Before Setting Up an SMSF - https://mailchi.mp/164f8e1d870c/new-blog-post-from-smsf-coach-5811743

17/04/2026

There is no real Australian Oil resource that is financially viable, worth extracting or refining.

16/04/2026

⚠️ Attention SMSF Trustees with second Retail or Industry Fund for insurance ⚠️

Are you leaving a small balance in your industry or retail super to keep your life insurance active? You must set up an annual direct debit for a contribution or use your fund’s opt-in process — or risk losing your cover.

Dylan (surname withheld for privacy), a 44-year-old father of three from NSW, paid $350 a year for $358,000 in death and disability cover. As a self-employed architect, he went 16 months without a contribution to his fund. Under the Protecting Your Super (PYS) laws, his insurance was automatically cancelled — even though he had money in the account.

His fund sent three warning emails. He deposited $200 but missed the final opt-in click. In 2023, he passed away without coverage, leaving his family financially exposed.

For SMSF Trustees this is a very real risk that in concentrating on their SMSF, they forget to keep an eye on the old super fund holding their insurances.

For background, many SMSF trustees retain the insurance in their old fund due to health issues that mean they can replace or transfer or just because of the cost to replace a group cover.

💡 Protect yourself:
Set up a yearly contribution via direct debit
Formally opt-in with your super fund to keep your insurance active

Don’t let your insurance vanish silently — act today!

16/04/2026

Here is a guide on what you should be aware of when someone is recommending you set up an . Its not always your best interest at front of mind! We call these the RED FLAGS!

New Blog Post from SMSF Coach - Red Flags to Watch Out For When Considering and SMSF - https://mailchi.mp/30a748e68b2d/new-blog-post-from-smsf-coach-5811556

21/01/2026

The Age Pension is not changing from 67

Ignore the Age Pension misinformation – fake news articles are claiming the Age Pension age is changing from 67 and also that there are some mystery bonuses available from Centrelink. the Age Pension eligibility and rules are NOT CHANGING and THERE ARE NO BONUSES! .

The government has confirmed there are no current plans to change it. These articles on Facebook etc. are designed to generate ad revenue through people clicking out of panic or out of outrage.

If in doubt go to the Services Australia (Centrelink to us) "Active Scams" website page https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/active-scams?
and maybe keep an eye on the National Seniors Website as they are usually on top of any matter affecting pensioners https://nationalseniors.com.au/news/latest-news/warning-over-fictitious-centrelink-payments

Or contact your Financial Planner for personal guidance.
Best wishes
Liam.