Welcome to Issue 41 of the FSC Policy Update – a fortnightly member briefing on the main legislative and regulatory changes across the financial services industry. The FSC was pleased to host an event with the Shadow Minister for Financial Services, Stephen Jones MP, last Friday to discuss a range of issues with FSC members that are impacting the financial services industry. Read more

Last week, APRA published a gloomy set of quarterly numbers showing that the life insurance industry made a total net loss after tax of $179 million for the March to June 2020 quarter on individual income protection products (IP).  Read more

Inevitably, the broadening of superannuation early release rules as part of the COVID-19 response has led us back to debating whether we should extend the existing First Home Super Saver scheme. Read more

While it may surprise some to know that the original concept of life insurance can be traced back millennia to ancient times, there is no doubt the life insurance industry plays a vital role by providing financial protection when people need it most. Read more

Recently, your FSC team intently watched the Senate live stream as divisions were called for a critical piece of reform to superannuation – Minister Jane Hume’s 'Your Super, Your Choice' bill enabling every Australian to choose a superannuation fund.  Read more

Advocacy by the FSC, along with the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) – to ASIC and the Federal Government has secured valuable clarity on the parameters for electronic renewals of Ongoing Fee Arrangements (OFAs). Read more