There is one thing that I leant about in the 1980’s was how to influence politicians in election campaigns.

During this period, I was a State Delegate representing the Bruce Beard on State Council for about 10 years. Our office on Pennant Hills was used as a communication hub for the Liberal Party to receive calls from Booths throughout the electorate with the latest voting count.

I was also a Booth Captain representing the Liberal Party.

One could call me a rusted on Liberal voter.

Over the last 4 years since Hobart, I have come to know Stephen Jones and prior to this election, I believed that he would fix many of the issues confronting our profession.

At the last election, I not only voted Labor for the first time since 1972, I also actively campaigned to try and secure I what interpreted as a vulnerable seat near me – Bennelong John Howards old seat.

I did this by communicating with every pensioner group, Rotary Groups, View Clubs etc with the achievements of the Labor Party over the last 80 years.

This included the PPS (Affordable Scripts), Medibank, Medicare, Deregulation of the Banks, Floating of the Australian Dollar, Superannuation, and the NDIS scheme.

These benefits are very important to older Australians and all I pointed out is who made these changes and why they should vote Labor as they rely on them today to make their life more affordable.

The only notable achievement by the Liberal Party was the Future Fund.

The Liberal Party opposed most of Labor’s achievements.

The Liberal Party lost the seat of Bennelong, and my campaign would have contributed to that loss.

If we are to succeed in influencing either party, you must do so at a grass roots level, for example we must attack Labor on Cost of Living as that is their Achillies heal right now.

The Liberal Party is also vulnerable on the same issue.

Unfortunately, our clients don’t necessarily believe that fees imposed on us will cause an increase in their fees. We know differently.

When we undertake reviews, we point out to our clients the high level of compliance we must undertake and the impact this has on their fees, however this will not change the voting intentions.

It is only personal safety, and the hip pocket nerve are the only ones that cause their vote to change.

Look at Queensland and you will understand why the Labor Government is in fear of losing office. In November 2024, they will be in opposition, because of both issues.

If we surveyed our clients and asked them which issues were important to them, I am sure that we would get a better understanding about the issues that really matter to them.

I urge all financial advisers to get behind the AIOFP in its efforts to influence both Labor and Liberals to reform our compliance nightmare.

Look at what Mortgagee Brokers achieved by being united.

To achieve a pollical outcome, we must offer our influence in exchange for what we want. This is what the Banks do and at present “The Banks tell the politicians to Jump and only response is How High”: The Banks buy these outcomes with donations…..
We need to achieve the same outcome.

We cannot offer the Millions in donations; however, we may be able to offer either party Government.

Our clients are voters, and we have the capacity to influence them to vote one way or the other, by using our knowledge of what influences them.

Bennelong and Kooyong are good examples of our influence at work.

I urge every adviser to join the AIOFP and get behind our efforts to make change happen.

Your future depends on you action right now. Do it today Join the AIOFP and send a message to Canberra.

Our next on shore Conference will be held in Canberra later this year and you will have the opportunity to put your concerns directly to our politicians of both parties.