As a member, you have a right to request a meeting with your fund to discuss their investment practices. Superannuation funds have obligations to act in members’ best financial interests, which includes manage risks associated with human rights violations. They also have an obligation to engage transparently with member concerns.
Requesting a meeting can be an effective way to push for divestment from companies associated with Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.
Before the Meeting
Know and understand exactly what you want to discuss.
You don’t need to be an expert, but you should be confident enough to speak about:
- The specific companies, sectors, or activities you want your fund to divest from.
- Some of the human rights, legal, ESG, or financial risks associated with these investments. You don’t need to be across everything, highlighting one in particular is fine.
- The human rights impacts of some of the companies that the fund is invested in, as well as the impacts of Israel’s settlements in general.
- The outcome you’d like to see – a commitment to divestment with a realistic timeline.
Gather supporting information
This might include:
- APAN fact sheets
- UN reports or databases
- NGO research
- The fund’s own Responsible Investment Policy or ESG framework, or any relevant comments, claims or statements on their website.
At the end of our campaigns toolkit, we have a list of suggested resources.
Identify the right person to speak to.
If you aren’t specific in your request, they may set you up to speak with a general financial advisor who will not be able to discuss investment practices with you.
Usually the best person to speak to is:
- ESG / Sustainability team
- Responsible Investment team
- Member advocacy or member services
- Potentially the CEO’s office for escalated matters (i.e if you’ve had ongoing engagement with the fund to no avail.
Request your meeting.
Often, funds will have a “meeting request” option set up through your member account or app. But if not, you can just send an email to their helpline.
Suggested Text:
Subject Line:
Request for Member Meeting Regarding ESG Risk and Divestment
Dear [Name/Team],
I am writing as a member of [Super Fund Name] to request a meeting to discuss concerns regarding the fund’s investments in companies that have been identified as having significant human rights and ESG risks, particularly relating to Israel’s illegal settlements.
Given the fund’s commitments to responsible investment, risk management and acting in members’ long-term best financial interests, I would appreciate the opportunity to speak directly with the ESG/Responsible Investment team about:
- The due diligence undertaken on these companies
- How the fund assesses human rights risks in line with international frameworks
- Whether the fund has considered divestment or enhanced engagement
I believe a short meeting would help clarify the fund’s approach and allow me to better understand how these risks are being managed. I am available at the following times:
Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Member Number – important for fund verification purposes]
[Phone number – optional]
Tips for Increasing the Chances They Say Yes
Be precise
Funds receive many generic emails. A specific, informed request signals seriousness.
Make reference to any ESG policies they claim such as:
- Responsible Investment Policy
- Stewardship/Engagement Framework
- Human Rights or Modern Slavery Statements
Frame it as wanting transparency, not confrontation.
You are a member trying to understand how your money is managed.
Use your position as a member
Funds have obligations to respond meaningfully to member concerns.
What to Do in the Meeting
Give a concise summary of your concerns:
Example:
“I am really concerned about the fact that [fund name] is investing [amount] into companies complicit with Israel’s illegal settlements. I have previously tried to engage with you on this issue and have had little success. I am now considering my options and whether or not i need to move funds, and so i have some questions I need clarification on.”
Ask clear, specific questions
Examples:
- Several other funds have divested from Israeli banks or Israeli domiciled bonds. Why hasn’t this fund done the same?
- With other funds reducing or exiting Israeli holdings, what analysis has the fund done to avoid holding stranded or reputationally risky assets?
- Is the fund concerned about the financial risks of continuing to hold Israeli-linked investments given the increasing likelihood of sanctions?
- How does the fund justify continued investment in companies clearly complicit in financing illegal settlements?
Take notes
Document everything – even the non-answers!
- Excuses or justifications they make
- Any commitments they make
- Gaps in their answers
Request written follow-up
This makes it harder for them to avoid accountability.
After the Meeting
Send a short follow-up email
- Thank them for the meeting, summarise key points, and remind them of your key concerns.
- Ask for answers to questions that went unanswered, with a timeline.
- If they agreed to anything, remind them and let them know you will check back in if you do not receive what you requested by a specific date.
- Remind them that you will move your superannuation to a new fund if they do not respond proactively.
Consider next steps
These might include:
- Lodging a formal complaint with the fund.
- Writing to a board member to demonstrate your dissatisfaction.
- Gathering other members to co-sign a follow-up
- Escalating a complaint to AFCA.
Remember, even a meeting that goes badly, where you receive no answers at all is better than no meeting. Funds are required to keep track of, and report back to their board on any complaints. Multiple member meetings about this issue will, if nothing else, demonstrate the seriousness of the issue and the reputational risk.
Make sure you get in touch with APAN and let us know how the meeting went!
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