regulation

Policy & Regulation

Stand-alone act needed for whistleblowers

A robust and independent whistleblowing process needs to replace the current act to help employees feel comfortable about fearlessly reporting misconduct, the Governance ...

Superannuation

Parliament told: Don’t bail out bad SMSF decision-makers

SMSF trustees who make bad decisions should be responsible for their choices and be denied access to an industry-funded compensation fund, according to the SMSF Owner’s A...

Financial planning

Aussie advisers most affected by regulation

Australian advisers reported feeling most challenged by their professional environment due to regulatory and compliance burden, compared to the rest of the world....

Superannuation

SMSFs are not unregulated

The SMSF Association has sought to dispel the myth that self-managed superannuation funds were unregulated just because they did not fall under the umbrella of APRA. ...

Funds management

Charitable investment fundraisers regulation tightened

ASIC has tightened the regulatory framework for charities that raise investment funds, following a review of their activities. ...

Financial planning

Varying quality in IPO due diligence

ASIC has found a close correlation between defective disclosure in a prospectus and poor due diligence in IPO issuers....

Editorial

Time to better regulate aged care

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that the aged care industry needs the same sort of regulatory oversight as financial planning, including a best interests d...

Editorial

Growing opportunities out of the sandbox

Mike Taylor writes that ASIC’s proposal for a regulatory sandbox may prove to be a decisive element in the growth of Australian fintechs....

Features

What’s keeping advisers up at night? – Adviser Sentiment Part 1

The financial planning industry has probably accepted by now that change is a constant, stemming from legislation, regulation, or the Budget. Malavika Santhebennur wades ...

Features

What’s the cost of bedding down FOFA? – Adviser Sentiment Part 2

Financial planners talk about what the costs of implementing FOFA have been for their practices even as they contemplate the next suite of changes stemming from tinkering...

Financial planning

ASIC sets guidance on robo-advice monitoring

ASIC has released a consultation paper on guidance for robo-advice providers, highlighting that licensees should appoint human advisers to monitor and test digital advice...

Policy & Regulation

Xenophon questions future of FOS

Independent Senator, Nick Xenophon has questioned the future of FOS following its handling of a case that ended in the Supreme Court....

Financial planning

Accountability gap in Govt proposal to protect client money

While the Government’s proposal to protect client money is a step in the right direction it does not outline how it will be monitored, Saxo Capital Markets believes....

Policy & Regulation

Debt management firms front-loading fees: ASIC

Many debt management firms are front-loading fees to increase consumers’ commitment through sunk costs, an ASIC report reveals....

Policy & Regulation

Westpac pays price for boosting credit card limits

Westpac will pay $1 million to support financial counselling and literacy initiatives, for failing to comply with its responsible lending practices....