AFA chief executive Brad Fox said the association has been discussing the main concerns that advisers have with the Life Insurance Framework (LIF) – especially with regard to the three-year clawback period – with federal Liberal MP Bert van Manen, and it will soon take these concerns to Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Small Business Kelly O’Dwyer.
“It is important that government appreciates that shifting of responsibility from the institution to the adviser threatens the future of advisers that own or are employed in small business advice practices,” Mr Fox said.
“It also risks worsening the $1.6 billion annual cost to government caused by underinsurance if there are fewer advisers.”
In a previous interview with ifa sister title Risk Adviser, Mr van Manen – who also chairs a backbench policy review committee on all matters relating to small businesses – said the industry reforms are “not set in stone” and definitely have room to move.
“This is the time for feedback and for the industry to apply pressure,” Mr van Manen said.
“I appreciate [advisers’ concerns] and I think [the reforms] have the potential to significantly affect the capacity of businesses to grow over time and to make [the industry] attractive to new entrants.”
The AFA said the LIF has placed too much focus on adviser remuneration and not enough attention on creating a long-term solution that can deliver a positive vision for more Australians to have the financial security provided by risk insurance.
“The current framework may deal with some of the public perceptions around commissions, but it doesn’t offer a true win for the public or the common good,” Mr Fox said.
“Strong undertakings have already been made across the industry with regard to raising minimum training and education standards for financial advisers which will deal with the compliance and reputation concerns of ASIC and government,” he said.
Well Said! Whilts the need to go from upfonts to hybrid commission is understandable the extension of the claw back period from 12 months to 3 years makes it totally unsustanable for anyone writing insurance. Overall the the LIF is not a win for the consumer but seems to be a big win for the Insurance companies and via the FSC!!!!
So after spending months telling us this was the best deal they could get and “be grateful it wasn’t worse”, they now think they CAN do better. Exactly what are we supposed to believe here?
Hallelujah AFA working for the advisers who pay there wages Amazing
This whole episode is a lesson for the AFA on how not to do things without Adviser consent. The AFA Board at no stage sought Adviser consent to respond to the FSC and we would have been better off not responding. Instead they did and now reap the sorrows of a failed policy outcome where the Association in effect is attacking their members. Pity they could not see this 4 months ago.