The ifa Show

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by ifa news editor Keith Ford to discuss the latest on the QAR and other regulatory changes affecting the profession. A year has passed since Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones released the final report on the Quality of Advice Review, a move that was eagerly awaited by the financial advice community. Despite the release, the journey towards implementing the recommendations has been slow, marked by a series of roundtables and consultations.

In this podcast, Maja and Keith discuss:

• The likelihood that QAR commitments will be legislated this year.
• Treasury’s Senate estimates appearance and the “qualified adviser” conundrum.
• The implications of the ASIC levy increase for advisers, and more.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by George Haramis, the CEO of moneyGPS and accountantsGPS, to discuss the rise of digital advice in the financial services industry.

With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Mr Haramis provides valuable insights into the development and growth of digital advice, and why incorporating digital advice into advisory firms’ business models will be essential moving forward.

Listen as they discuss:

• The key benefits of using digital advice platforms for advisory firms.
• The importance of digital advice in addressing intergenerational wealth transfer.
• How digital advice underpins many of the recommendations in the Quality of Advice Review, and more.

In this episode of the ifa podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by the chief executive of Lifespan Financial Planning, Eugene Ardino, to delve into the latest developments in the financial advice industry.

Mr Ardino discusses the government’s response to the Quality of Advice Review (QAR), the experience pathway, and the increasing ASIC levy.

He shares why, despite the disappointment with the ASIC levy increase, he remains optimistic about the industry.

Mr Ardino also touches on the potential impact of the QAR and the government’s support for certain recommendations and acknowledges there are certain challenges in defining and implementing a good advice duty.

He also shares his thoughts on the simplification of statements of advice (SOAs) and why he anticipates that the government and regulators will work together to define what a good record of advice should look like.

Moreover, Mr Ardino dismisses concerns that licensees would still enforce lengthy documents and emphasises the importance of industry consensus and consumer-centred approach.

In this episode of The ifa Show, co-hosts Keith Ford and Maja Garaca Djurdjevic sit down to discuss tranche two of the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes legislation and Liberal senator Andrew Bragg’s admonishment of the government for the ever-extending timeline to deliver a draft of the legislation. Together, the pair delve into the potential impact of Australia’s 2025 federal election and how politics are playing a role in the legislative process, suggesting financial services could become a key battleground as the election nears.

Listen as they discuss:

• The private member’s bill hoping to provide advisers a reprieve from onerous statements of advice.
• Advisers who are left in a state of limbo as they await legislative change.
• The Compensation Scheme of Last Resort and the ongoing battle against Dixon Advisory.