MTAA faces probe

The ACT government, which oversees the collection of payroll tax from businesses registered in Canberra, has also raised concerns over incomplete employee records supplied by the motor trade association.

The MTAA owns the MTAA Super trustee company. Over the years the motoring body has directed a substantial amount of members' retirement savings into the super fund. Until December last year the motoring body also provided administrative support and management of the $5.8 billion fund. Long-serving executive Michael Delaney last year stepped down from his dual role at the head of both MTAA Super and the national motoring body.

MTAA Super last year paid MTAA $8.5 million as part of a service agreement deal.

Given the close links between the two organisations, the developments could represent a further headache for MTAA Super, which has come under a separate investigation from finance regulator the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

Earlier this month, MTAA Super chairman John Brumby detailed a top-level overhaul of the fund. This includes the planned exit of Mr Delaney in November and the retirement of two long-serving directors.

Documents from the ACT Revenue Office obtained by BusinessDay raise concerns over $1.78 million in directors' fees over a five-year period that were not declared.

They also highlight an apparent discrepancy between what was actually paid to MTAA's directors and what appeared in the organisation's annual accounts lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

"I have grave concerns about MTAA's inability to provide year-to-date payroll and superannuation summaries from the payroll systems," the ACT Revenue Office said in a letter sent in March to MTAA's auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers.

"I advise that the wage records, spreadsheets and information supplied to date contain conflicting information that I have not been able to reconcile," the letter said.

In the 2010 financial year, MTAA paid $724,957 in directors' fees, according to accounts lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. But according to the ACT Revenue Office, only $366,933 was declared. The letter also narrowed in on incomplete information on fringe-benefits payments to some staff.

MTAA executive director Richard Dudley confirmed that discussions with the ACT Revenue Office were continuing. "They've had some queries and we've responded to those queries but, because the matter pertains to staff entitlements and other associated matters, I'm not willing to comment any further," he said.

Mr Dudley took charge of MTAA at the start of this year.

The ACT Revenue Office declined to comment on the letter.

The query is also expected to put the spotlight on the PwC, which has provided advice on directors' fees for both the motoring group and the super fund.

Earlier this year, APRA launched a review of MTAA Super over an apparent lack of currency hedging during late 2008 that left fund members heavily exposed to losses. Mr Delaney has been critical of APRA's investigation and previously insisted that the super fund was hedged during the financial crisis.

Recent figures compiled by Chant West show the MTAA balanced fund came in last of the 50 funds it tracks. It returned 4.7 per cent over the year to June, trailing the average 10 per cent return for funds in this category.