AIOFP claims ‘senior’ politicians are contacting its members ahead of election

The AIOFP told ifa that senior politicians are “actively wanting to make contact with groups of advisers seeking their views on the current legislation in café style meetings”.

It comes just weeks after the association launched its “engage and enrage” campaign that called on financial advisers across Australia to put aside political differences in a bid to unite and incite change within the sector.

AIOFP executive director Peter Johnston said the advice industry has a “platinum opportunity” to seek further changes by government within the sector over the next two months.

“Having the finance and foreign affairs ministers wanting to meet with groups of advisers in café settings is evidence of their desperation to win the traditionally voting Advice community back to support them,” Mr Johnston told ifa.

“Unless it is Treasurer Frydenberg and his chief adviser Martin Codina promising change, it will be a waste of time.

“They have had six years to assist us and now they are looking doubtful in the polls, they are on their knees begging for support.”

The news comes after The Advisers Association (TAA) chief executive Neil Macdonald said the advice sector has reason to be “optimistic” ahead of the election.

“I’m optimistic, particularly because I think there is a recognition on both sides of the government that there needs to be changes, and the pendulum’s probably swung a little bit too far,” he said during a recent episode of the ifa Show.

“I think they’re looking for the associations and advisers to give them some constructive feedback on what needs to change and how.”

Listen to the full podcast with Mr Macdonald here.

Neil Griffiths

Neil is the Deputy Editor of the wealth titles, including ifa and InvestorDaily.

Neil is also the host of the ifa show podcast.