So long and farewell
Several months ago, I made the difficult personal decision to step down as Professional Planner editor. While I look forward to my future plans, it has been bittersweet to leave behind a masthead I have loved leading and a financial advice profession I have great respect for.
August 07, 2026
‘Growth is key’: New AMP CEO says platform flows won’t come at expense of margin
AMP’s platform flows hit a record high in 1H26, but competition for industry fund outflows is heating up and ASIC has put platform governance under the microscope. But new CEO Blair Vernon tells Professional Planner the business can keep growing.
August 06, 2026
Parliament should review travel restraint laws in major financial misconduct cases
As the travel restraint of First Guardian CIO Simon Selimaj has been lifted, Shield and First Guardian investor advocate Melinda Kee writes that confidence in the system is lost long before a court delivers its verdict.
August 06, 2026
Radical transformation needed for golden era of advice
To significantly increase the profession’s capacity to serve, there must be transformation in three key areas starting with education reform. Technology must also empower advisers to spend more time winning and seeing clients, and advice must be available in different forms, Entireti’s Neil Younger writes.
August 05, 2026
FAAA, SIAA criticise tax changes to discretionary trusts
The 30 per cent minimum tax rate on discretionary trusts will cause an unnecessary burden on small businesses, both the Financial Advice Association Australia and Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association have argued.
August 05, 2026
The FSC’s white paper blind spot: Who’s accountable when compliance fails?
The Financial Services Council deserves credit for taking on feedback and modifying its recommendations for the White Paper on the Future of Advice Licensing. But Assured Support’s Sean Graham writes the white paper still leaves one critical question largely unanswered.
August 04, 2026
ASIC intervenes on Shield director promoting guaranteed 13 pc returns on new funds
ASIC has sought Federal Court orders to restrain Shield director Paul Chiodo from promoting new funds over concerns about alleged unlicensed conduct and that the products were promising high guaranteed returns.
August 04, 2026
Cbus chief calls for SMSF guardrails as advice fee debate heats up
Cbus CEO Kristian Fok has called on the regulator to provide clearer guidance on when SMSFs are economical and for greater transparency around advice fees, as the SMSF Association warns any regulatory response to the Shield and First Guardian collapse must be evidence-based and proportionate.
August 03, 2026
Sequoia agrees to court undertaking blocking InterPrac’s exit from cross-guarantee
ASX-listed Sequoia Financial Group has agreed to a court undertaking that it won’t lodge a certificate with ASIC that says the sale of InterPrac Financial Planning to Conquest Investment Partners is “bona fide, fair and reasonable”. Without that certificate, Sequoia can’t remove InterPrac from the deed of cross-guarantee.
August 03, 2026
Shadow Treasurer says Hayne royal commission left behind ‘regulatory wreckage’
Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson believes the Hayne royal commission has left behind ‘regulatory wreckage’ which made advice inaccessible and pushed up fees, adding the “obsession” with upfront fees has not delivered better outcomes for consumers. As the policy response to Shield and First Guardian is expected to be delivered in the coming weeks, Wilson also predicts the government will move to deny people the ability to switch funds.
July 31, 2026
ASIC strikes against First Guardian auditors
ASIC has launched Federal Court proceedings against Auditeo Australia and two of its auditors over allegations it failed to do proper due diligence of the First Guardian master fund, including no financial audit being conducted in FY21 despite producing a report for that year.
July 31, 2026
FSC white paper criticised for looking out for the interests of the biggest licensees
The Financial Services Council has proposed ASIC should establish a separate enhanced risk-based supervision function for advice AFSLs, as well as a higher base charge for licensees with the ASIC levy. The Financial Advice Association Australia has already called the recommendations an attack on self-licensed businesses.
July 30, 2026
