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Stephen Putnins

The month of July 2021 saw the release of various anticipated consultations for the financial services sector.

In this wrap-up, we feature:

  • ASIC’s consultation on the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR) draft bill which is set to improve the risk and governance cultures of the banking, insurance and superannuation sectors.
  • Guidance on hawking reforms

On 11 May 2021, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered the Australian Federal Budget 2021-2022, which contained an announcement as to future changes to the licensing and relief regime for foreign financial service providers. Our update can be found here.

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

During April 2021, ASIC has used its product intervention powers to ban the sale of binary options to retail clients, as well as to extend temporary relief instruments amidst COVID-19. ASIC has also urged claims handling firms to lodge licences by next month. The superannuation sector has seen the release of exposure draft regulations to

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

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

The months of December 2020 and January 2021 have been a busy time in the funds management, superannuation and insurance sector. In particular, ASIC has released its final Regulatory Guide 274 Product design and distribution obligations, which will bring industry-wide changes to how financial products are formed, promoted and marketed. The impact of COVID-19

In November 2020, ASIC released a number of anticipated industry reports, providing an update on the buy now pay later industry as well as licensing and professional registration activities for 2020. The superannuation and funds management sector also had some notable developments, including the exposure draft legislation and explanatory memorandum released as part of the

The month of October 2020 has seen ASIC use its product intervention powers by imposing conditions on the issue and distribution of contracts for difference (CFDs) to retail clients as well as releasing updated guidance on unfair contract terms laws for insurance. The Federal Government has announced a number of key reforms, including

On 6 October 2020, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg handed down the 2020 Federal Budget, which contained a package of significant superannuation reforms. The primary superannuation measures in the Budget are captured in the “Your Future, Your Super” package.

The package is intended to address ‘structural flaws’ in the superannuation system. The reforms will apply from 1