Retirement savings at work: Brighter Super visits Sea Swift in Far North Queensland

23 October 2026

Brighter Super leaders toured Sea Swift’s Cairns operations to see first-hand how one of its Queensland infrastructure investments supports remote communities across northern Australia.

The visit was part of a broader Cairns program for Brighter Super that included workplace visits, member events and a presentation by Brighter Super Chief Executive Kate Farrar at the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference.

Sea Swift has provided shipping and logistics services to coastal and remote communities in the Torres Strait, Cape York Peninsula and Northern Territory since 1987, serving customers ranging from individuals to large national and international businesses.

Its Executive Chairman Chris Pearce and Chief Operating Officer Leanne Hulm hosted Ms Farrar, along with Brighter Super’s Chief Member Officer Lisa Kay, Chief Commercial Officer Sean Marteene, Infrastructure Portfolio Manager Oliver Boyte and Paul Raih Head of Australia Institutional Distribution from QIC.

L-R  Sean Marteene (Brighter Super), Oliver Boyte (Brighter Super), Lisa Kay (Brighter Super), Paul Raih (QIC), Kate Farrar (Brighter Super), Chris Pearce (Sea Swift), Leanne Hulm (Sea Swift) and Jahmal Corrie, Cairns Depot Manager (Sea Swift)

Pictured: Albatross Bay Landing Craft

“When you see the variety and volume of freight being packed for these communities, you understand just how essential this service is to more than 50,000 people’s everyday lives,” Ms Farrar said.

With many of Sea Swift’s customers having limited or no year-round road access, sea freight provides a vital connection for remote coastal and island communities. Sea Swift’s fleet of 20 vessels carries everything from supermarket food, medicines, vehicles and boats to white goods, building and construction materials, furniture and small parcels sent by families to relatives in remote communities. Sea Swift also delivers the diesel used to generate electricity in these areas.

Sea Swift’s contribution to the region goes beyond freight. The company prioritises local employment, particularly recruiting from remote communities and First Nations people. It also runs a trainee program across its depots, with many crew members building long-term careers on the water.

Its crews also step up when communities need help. In April 2025, at the request of Queensland Water Police, the crew of Sea Swift’s Fourcroy changed course mid-voyage to rescue 16 people stranded on Cap Islet in the Torres Strait and returning them safely to Yam Island.

Brighter Super is invested in Sea Swift through the QIC Global Infrastructure Fund, which has wholly owned Sea Swift since 2019 and is managed by QIC.

“Essential services like Sea Swift are always in demand, which is what makes infrastructure a good fit for long-term retirement savings,” Ms Farrar said.

“It’s an investment that works for members in two ways: supporting their long-term financial outcomes while helping keep regional Queensland connected.”

Ms Farrar said visiting regional Queensland and spending time with members was an important part of how Brighter Super stays connected to the people and communities it serves. More than 4,600 Brighter Super members live in the Cairns local government area.

“Our members live and work right across Queensland, including here in the Far North. Many of them work for local councils, which is where our fund’s story began,” she said.

“Regularly visiting regional Queensland to meet members, their employers and their communities helps us understand what matters to them – and to see first-hand how their super is working for them.”

Brighter Super announced its Queensland Investment Strategy in 2024, committing an additional $500 million to local assets by 2029. Two years into the five-year strategy, $250 million has already been committed, building on the more than $1 billion Brighter Super had already invested in Queensland.

To learn more about how Brighter Super is backing Queensland’s future brightersuper.com.au/qld-investments