Where we stand
Here’s our stance on the issues we get asked about most.
These positions guide our investment decisions and our engagement with the companies we invest in. We’ve developed them by asking what’s best for people, the planet and animals using the principles of our Ethical Charter. As the world moves forward, these positions may change as well.
Climate action
We're taking serious action to limit global warming.
Clean energy investment
We invest in renewable energy (solar, wind, tidal, geothermal and sustainable hydro), as well as energy efficiency and battery storage.
Human rights
We avoid companies that restrict human rights, exploit workers or discriminate.
Fossil fuel
We exclude all fossil fuel company investments.
Agriculture
Food delivers essential nutrition to sustain human life, and healthy food prevents disease and contributes to overall wellbeing.
Animal protection
We avoid unnecessary harm to animals.
Live export
We do not invest in live export.
Banking
Banks contribute to the transfer of money and capital across society and the economy, facilitating access to goods and services.
GMO
We recognise the potential value of GMOs and other products to alleviate food shortages, reduce pesticide use and produce biofuels.
Timber and forestry
We do not invest in native or old growth forest logging.
Marriage equality under Australian Law
We support marriage equality.
Social media
We invest in social media where companies are taking action to reduce harm from its misuse.
Fish farming
We don’t believe fish farming is sustainable.
Mining
We avoid investment in most mining companies.
Healthcare
We invest in healthcare because it enables people to live longer, healthier lives.
Offshore detention
We do not invest in companies operating detention centres.
Indigenous rights
We won’t invest in companies discriminating against indigenous people.
Natural capital
Understanding and managing impacts on natural capital is essential for a sustainable future.
Business in occupied territories
We avoid companies operating in occupied or disputed territories where they are supporting illegitimate government control of those territories.
Workforce health, safety and well-being
Employee health, safety and general well-being are important factors we consider when making investment decisions.
Diversity and equal opportunity
We avoid investment in companies that discriminate and engage with companies that lack gender diversity at senior leadership levels.
Green bonds
We strongly support the green bond market.
Militarism and weapons
We do not invest in companies that unnecessarily create, encourage or perpetuate militarism or engage in the manufacture of armaments.
Alcohol
We don’t invest in the alcohol industry, including brewers, distillers, wine makers and pubs.
Airlines and cars
We’ll invest in electric car manufacturers like Tesla.
Insurance
Insurance helps the sharing of risk across society.
Whose ethics?
Our ethics are defined by our Ethical Charter.
International investment
We invest in Australia and internationally.
Nuclear power and uranium mining
We don’t invest in nuclear.
Chemicals including pesticides
We do not have a blanket exclusion for chemical or pesticide companies.
Tobacco manufacture
We don’t invest in tobacco companies.
Gambling
We don’t invest in the gambling industry.
Palm oil
We avoid palm oil production because of the impact of land clearing including on local communities and wildlife habitat.
Pornography
We don’t invest in companies which produce pornography.
Hydro electricity
We generally avoid investing in new large scale hydro-electricity projects because of their displacement of people and animals, harm to ecosystems and release of methane.
Media
A healthy news and media sector offers reliable information and diverse viewpoints which inform and educate readers, viewers and listeners.
Waste-to-energy
Using waste to produce energy is one way we can manage waste more sustainably.
Tax
We avoid companies which intentionally arrange their corporate structure and transactions to illegally avoid paying tax.
Governments
Legitimate and accountable governments play an important role in creating conditions necessary for the advancement of the well-being of people, animals and the environment.