Q&A with Tobacco Free Portfolios', Dr Bronwyn King

For Dr Bronwyn King, her superannuation wasn't something that she used to be that engaged with, that is until she discovered that her money was being invested into the very industry that had caused "hundreds, if not a thousand" of her patients to die; the tobacco industry.

From not knowing the name of her super fund, to single-handedly changing the way in which some of Australia's major funds operate, it's safe to say that Dr Bronwyn King is something of a wonder-woman. She tells Industry Moves a little more about the path that lead her to become the CEO of 'Tobacco Free Portfolios' and shares with us her hidden talent that any city-sider would be envious of.

What or who drew you to take on the role of CEO of Tobacco Free Portfolios?

I studied medicine at Melbourne University and then both my husband and I went on to specialise as radiation oncologists. It came to a point where we were buying a house and my accountant said that we needed to sort out our superannuation. Up until that point I hadn't really taken notice of my super. I knew it existed but I never became even remotely engaged in what was going on. I didn't know how much money I had and I don't think I would have been sure of the name of my fund.

I met with a representative of Health Super in 2010 and discovered that my money was being invested into the tobacco industry, an industry that had killed hundreds, if not a thousand of my patients, it was just something that I could not accept. I immediately started engaging with the executive team and that's how it all started.

How many Australian Super funds have now divested their interest in tobacco?

There are now 35 tobacco-free super funds in Australia and in addition there is the Australian sovereign wealth fund, the Future Fund, which is also tobacco-free.

Have your efforts at lobbying a super fund ever been rejected and if so, why?

The vast majority of funds that I have met with think that this is a very reasonable conversation to be having and have been willing to look into it and take action. There are a small number of people in the finance sector who have been resistant. The funds that haven't yet gone tobacco free, I am currently engaged with at an executive and board level.

Nearly every fund that I have had contact with wants to make progress on this issue.

How can a member easily find out if their fund is free of investments in tobacco?

Every super fund is open to hearing from their members, so people should feel encouraged to call or email and ask the question.

With your job as a Radiation Oncologist, as well as being CEO of TFP, how do you maintain a work/life balance?

In all honesty, it's a bit of a disaster but I'm doing my best! In a way it's a terrific problem to have to be run off my feet with constant requests from the finance sector to engage on the issue of tobacco.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life/career?

I can't pick just one. My former swimming coach, Leigh Nugent, who engrained in me the concept of discipline and hard work. Professor David Ball, who I worked with in the lung cancer unit at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in 2001, who demonstrated what it was not just to be a great doctor, but to be a great person and Mr Michael Dwyer AM who is the CEO of First State Super, who has shown me what can be achieved with great collaboration and partnership.

What is the best advice you've been given?

Only pack carry on luggage, take the day off work on your birthday and hold on to old friends. If they saw you do all those silly embarrassing things in your teenage years and they still like you - treasure them.

Do you have a secret skill/hidden talent?

I'm really good at parallel parking! I can get into the smallest spots that you can imagine. There is no spot too small.

Dr Bronwyn King is a speaker at the SuperRatings & Lonsec Day of Confrontation Conference, DOC16, in Sydney on October 18.
To register or find out more click here!
Industry Moves is a proud media sponsor of the event.