Lonsec targets governance gaps exposed by Shield, First Guardian
As scrutiny mounts over industry investment governance standards, Lonsec has launched the Investment Governance Solution to help with ongoing monitoring of emerging product risks. Lonsec chief executive Lorraine Robinson tells Professional Planner that ASIC has been clear that licensees and trustees can no longer rely on an external rating and go into “set and forget” mode.
June 04, 2026
Here’s one thing the AIOFP might be right about
There are not many things the AIOFP and its predecessor organisations have said over the years that I've agreed with, so imagine my surprise – discombobulation, even – to find myself on board with at least one of them: the need for an adviser-led disciplinary body to deal with members who transgress conduct rules and professional standards.
June 03, 2026
The biggest game in town: Inside AustralianSuper’s retirement income strategy
Since Jacki Ellis joined the nation’s biggest profit-to-member super fund as head of retirement just over one year ago, she’s been assessing and building the fund’s capabilities with the aim of delivering a fully personalised experience to all members by 2035. But that’s not to say there won’t be benefits for members who retire before that.
June 03, 2026
Advice business valuations ‘critical’ if CGT changes pass
Getting valuations of advice practices will be critical for succession planning for business leaders if the Albanese government’s tax changes come through, according to a pair of M&A experts. Having a valuation of an asset for 1 July 2027 when the changes come in will drastically make calculating future capital gains easier.
June 02, 2026
Why drug policy failure is a fiduciary problem too
Professor Dan Howard SC spent 15 months as commissioner of a NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into the drug ice, produced 109 recommendations, and watched as the government sat on most of them. In conversation with Conexus Financial founder and managing director Colin Tate AM, Howard said six years on nothing has materially changed in drug policy, and that the costs land on everyone.
June 02, 2026
Associations coordinate calls to add MISs to CSLR
The Financial Advice Association Australia, SMSF Association and Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association have all called for managed investment schemes (MISs) to be included in the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort as a primary subsector.
June 01, 2026
Centrepoint expands Queensland presence with dual acquisitions
Centrepoint Alliance will acquire client books and salaried advisers from Queensland financial advice firms Cairns Wealth and Pinnacle Wealth from Astute Financial Management, expanding its salaried advice business.
June 01, 2026
ASIC likely to act on InterPrac over AFCA determination payment delays
The corporate regulator has criticised the "deeply disappointing approach" InterPrac has taken with its lawsuit against AFCA and is considering next steps against the licensee for unpaid determinations. ASIC is also concerned about how the legal action may disincentivise further complaints from Shield and First Guardian investors.
May 29, 2026
Equity Trustees calls trustee-for-hire model ‘successful’ despite Shield, First Guardian
Equity Trustees considers the trustee-for-hire a “successful” model despite the Shield and First Guardian collapse. The group also pushed back against any moves to make trustees fund remediation for similar collapses and called for more regulation and oversight of financial advisers.
May 28, 2026
Lifting adviser capacity would make new class of adviser redundant: WT
There would be no need for a new class of adviser if advice practices were to lift productivity and the education standard was fixed, according to WT chief executive Keith Cullen. Ahead of next month’s Licensee Summit, Cullen tells Professional Planner that lifting client capacity is just one of four pillars he sees as supporting success for advice practices in his network.
May 27, 2026
