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Advisers granted statutory declaration rights

Financial advisers have been added to the list of occupations authorised to sign statutory declarations following extensive lobbying from the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).

Starting from Tuesday, advisers have been added to the categories of people authorised to witness a Commonwealth statutory declaration under the new Statutory Declarations Regulations 2018.

The amended regulations follow input the FPA submitted into the government’s review of the Statutory Declarations Regulations 1993 on 10 April 2017.

FPA chief executive Dante De Gori called the amendments “a big win for consumers and the financial planning profession”.

“Financial planners help people simplify their finances and set achievable goals, particularly in relations to complex matters such as superannuation, tax planning, debt management, investments and retirement,” Mr De Gori said.

“We are delighted that our profession will be able to act as a trustworthy and authorised witness to the important documentation needed for a financial plan.”