In May 2021, the Federal Budget for the 2021-2022 financial year was handed down which included a number of proposed legislative reforms which will affect the Australian funds management and superannuation industries. Most notably, the Budget Papers included a commitment to the implementation of the Corporate Collective Investment Vehicle regime and also flagged changes to
Angus Jamieson (AU)
Financial services monthly wrap-up – March 2021
March 2021 has seen the release of legislative reforms to advice fee consent and lack of independence disclosure by financial advisers. ASIC has clarified its position on virtual AGMs and released an interim report on competition in the managed funds industry. APRA has urged life insurers and superannuation funds to ensure their insurance offerings and…
Legal update – Australia | Financial services monthly wrap-up: February 2021
The month of February 2021 has seen continued momentum for a raft of changes affecting financial services providers from various industries. APRA has released its new policies and priorities for 2021, which have a particular focus on the impacts of COVID-19 and seek to strengthen the financial services sector in dealing with future crises. The…
Taking a byte at financial crime: New AML/CTF guidance and timelines for digital currency exchanges
By Ivan Yau (AU), Angus Jamieson (AU) & Jon Ireland on
Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulator, AUSTRAC, has released its guidance with respect to new laws that require digital currency exchange (DCE) providers to register and comply with AML/CTF obligations.
AUSTRAC takes a broad approach in interpreting what is covered within the legal definition of a DCE. Essentially, any…