Industry Insights
FSC DSS Consultation on social security treatment of retirement products
The FSC has strongly supported the Government’s policy to remove tax, social security and regulatory barriers to open the market for new retirement income stream products. These reforms have moved at glacial pace, however there have been major advances in the last twelve months that show that there is broad commitment to ensuring the reforms are a success.
The fund taxation overhaul - a new world of opportunity?
An interview with Ka Sen Wong, Allen & Overy by Carla Hoorweg, Senior Policy Manager, Investment, Technology & Innovation, FSCThe new tax regime for managed funds, known as the “attribution managed investment trust” or “AMIT” regime, is now up and running and many businesses are considering whether to enter the regime from 1 July 2017. We speak to Ka Sen Wong, Australian head of tax at global law firm, Allen & Overy, about the business opportunities coming out of the reforms.
FSC: ESG and fiduciary duty - where are we?
As Australia’s $2.7 trillion pool of managed fund capital grows, it is becoming increasingly more important to consider ESG factors. This is for several reasons; on the one hand there is increased scrutiny from consumers but it is also important in exercising fiduciary duty through improved risk management and a longer term focus to the benefit of super beneficiaries.
Life Insurance reform - Are we there yet? No.
We are grateful to Jim Boynton & Rohan Cush of leading law firm King & Wood Mallesons for their permission to use this article.The passing of the Corporations Amendment (Life Insurance Remuneration Arrangements) Bill 2017 (Bill) marks another milestone for one aspect of a wide range of ongoing reforms in the Australian life insurance sector.
Cross-border flows up but tax policy keeping wind from the mainsails
Two things are clear from the latest Australian Investment Managers Cross-Border Flows report: demand for Australian investment products and expertise from overseas is up again; and removing the last of the taxation barriers could transform the growth ebb into a groundswell.
If You Don't Understand the Consumer, You Don't Have a Business
What are consumers worried about? What are they thinking about? What do they want?As the CEO of the Financial Services Council, obviously I have to understand what my members want and need across our portfolios of wealth, funds and asset management, life insurance, superannuation, financial advice networks and trustee companies, but it's also very important to me to understand what consumers are thinking about.