Regulation

The government’s position on what to do with the Safe Harbour Steps is no longer clear, but the chances of seeing it supplanted by the existing Code of Ethics are slim according to the FAAA’s policy chief Phil Anderson.

Even with a lightened agenda, the government failed to finish its homework and instead delivered only a portion of the first tranche of advice reforms. It’s a poor return, and at this rate the advice review could be a ten-year project.

Financial services minister Stephen Jones has accepted 14 of Michelle Levy’s 22 recommendations to increase advice access, with super funds set to play an expanded role and advisers benefitting from a drastic cut to red tape. Banks and insurers, however, have had their advice reform hopes dashed – for now.

On what was set up as a discussion around the proposals put forward by the Quality of Advice Review, the topic repeatedly shifted to the frustration providers felt at not being able to work with ASIC to bring compliant solutions to market.

The new association will be branded with its key purpose – providing a unified voice representing advisers – reflected in speech bubbles over the ‘A’s in its name.

The respected lawyer will not see out his contract with the corporate regulator after accepting a role in the commercial sector.

Advisers are rallying around the prospect of upfront advice fees becoming tax deductible after the ATO announced a review of Tax Determination 95/60.

After the regulator abandoned its $500K minimum balance guidance, the SMSF Association says it hopes licensees will reconsider some of the concerns they may have had about low-balance funds.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is making good on promises to combat greenwashing, issuing its second set of fines against a company for misrepresenting the ESG bona fides of an investment product.

Treasury has released for public consultation draft legislation aimed at closing a tax loophole for off-market share buybacks, prompting renewed fears over the future of franking credits despite assurances that mum-and-dad investors will not be affected.

Life insurance advisers should retain commissions at their current level, the advice review leader proposed, but only on the condition that clients sign explicit consent agreements acknowledging conflicted remuneration.

The financial services minister is looking at tackling scammers at the source: “Does our barista down the corner really need my email address, my bank details, my name and my mobile phone number just to buy a cup of coffee?”