Industry Updates

Jones silent on tax determination due process

Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones has offered no indication as to whether he will meet with the 10 professional bodies that have objected to the speed at which an amendment to ethical rules impacting tax agents will be effective.

Freshwater Wealth adds former Westpac advisers

Advice practice Freshwater Wealth has hired two partners, increasing its adviser numbers from three to five, following an influx of wealth transfer clients. 

CFS signs 5 year agreement with Microsoft to improve AI usage

Colonial First State have signed a five-year agreement with Microsoft that will strengthen the company’s use of cloud and AI technologies. 

Allianz Retire+ joins CALI as newest full member

Life insurer Allianz Retire+ has joined the Council of Australian Life Insurers as its newest full member. 

‘Unfinished business’: Jones survives reshuffle, re-commits to advice reform

Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones has conceded reforming financial advice has been more difficult than anticipated but re-committed to completing the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes project before the next election. The comments in an exclusive interview with Professional Planner came just ahead of a cabinet reshuffle in which Jones retained his role in the notoriously contentious portfolio.

Advisers’ focused on boosting client income amid high cost of living

As the cost of living has increased, adviser queries to technical teams have centred around how to improve retirement income including selling other assets, like investment properties, or downsizing the family home.

Housing Australia names CEO

Housing Australia, the government agency that administers the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) and National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF), has named the successor to the outgoing chief executive, Nathan Dal Bon.  

Degree or not degree, that is the question

Only part of the DBFO reforms have so far passed Parliament and the lingering issue of education standard for so-called “qualified advisers” remains unknown. Education providers argue the industry should take a hardline stance to make sure this new tier of adviser is adequately prepared, with one pushing for the same degree qualification as current advisers.

Reflections and next steps on financial advice reform

Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones sits down for an exclusive interview with Conexus Financial editor-in-chief Aleks Vickovich to discuss the Quality of Advice Review process so far, the next steps and the Albanese government’s vision for an enhanced financial advice sector.

Bragg lays out existential threat to ‘junk’ group insurance sector

Superannuation and life insurance industry executives have hit back at Coalition Senator Andrew Bragg’s characterisation of group insurance as “junk insurance” that provides a “false safety net” for members.

NGS Super names deputy CIO, ESG leaders

Industry fund NGS Super has made a series of promotions in the investment team.  

Super fund reporting and audit obligations commence

Super funds will be required to submit audited financial reports within three months of the end of the fund’s financial year with fees incurred for late lodgement under new rules governed by ASIC. 

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