FSC urges priority reintroduction of LIF legislation



The Financial Services Council (FSC) has placed reintroduction of the Life Insurance Reform Bill at the top of what it would like to see as the new Government's financial services policy agenda.
Welcoming the election of the Turnbull Government, the FSC issued a statement outlining the policy priorities it believed should be dealt with by the 45th Parliament, and topped the list with the "reintroduction of the Life Insurance Reform Bill to address misaligned incentives and improve trust in life insurance".
The FSC also emphasised the need for the Government to reintroduce legislation imposing choice in superannuation and called for the "introduction of legislation to increase standards required by financial advisers".
Not surprisingly, the list of FSC policy priorities also called for development of new investment vehicles to drive exports from the investment management industry and a simplified, lower tax regime for Australian investment managers.
As well, FSC chief executive, Sally Loane, said the organisation was looking forward to consulting with the Government on the May Budget changes to superannuation.
"There is enormous potential for financial services to join other service sectors in providing the future economic growth the country needs after the slowdown in mining investment. As well, the reform we are seeking is imperative for delivering better consumer outcomes," she said.
"We urge the government and the Parliament to get on with the job of delivering this agenda."
Recommended for you
BT is to launch a new low-cost “Focus” investment menu for its Panorama platform this October, in partnership with Vanguard, seeking to compete with industry superannuation funds.
Net gains of financial advisers have already doubled since the start of FY25, according to this week’s Padua Wealth Data, with momentum gathering pace far faster than the previous financial year.
National advice firm MiQ Private Wealth has appointed a new chief executive to lead the business through a “transformative era” after penning a partnership deal with AZ NGA earlier this month.
WT Financial’s managing director, Keith Cullen, believes the firm’s Hubco model with Merchant Wealth Partners will be a “repeatable growth model” for the business as it scales its adviser numbers.