Government and opposition welcome Financial Planning Week


On the launch of the 12th annual Financial Planning Week, the Minister and Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation have found common ground in announcing their support for the Financial Planning Association (FPA) initiative.

Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for Financial Services & Superannuation said:

“The year 2012 will be remembered for the passage of historic reforms to ensure Australians can access good quality financial advice and increase the superannuation guarantee to 12%. I commend the work of the Financial Planning Association who has played an instrumental role in helping to shape the reforms and improve professionalism in financial planning. I equally support the FPA’s work through its Financial Planning Week initiative to help Australians gain a better understanding of how quality financial advice can help them to retire with comfort and dignity.”

Senator Mathias Cormann, Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation said:

“There is no doubt that Australians who start planning early, with the benefit of high quality advice to help them make informed decisions about financial challenges and opportunities throughout their lives, will end up better off. Those organisations which step up to the plate to champion the importance of high quality professional financial advice deserve our support. That’s why I strongly support the Financial Planning Association’s commitment to the promotion of professional standards and high quality advice. With increased public trust in the high standards of Australia’s professional financial planners more Australians will seek advice and benefit from the improved financial health and wellbeing which comes with having a plan.”

Mark Rantall, CEO of the FPA welcomed the announcements.

“We welcome the acknowledgment and support from the government for the launch of this year’s Financial Planning Week. Financial planning is integral to the financial wellbeing of all Australians. Research shows that people with a dedicated financial planner are more likely to feel financially secure and are more confident in dealing with their greatest financial concerns than those without. Financial Planning Week aims to encourage, educate and empower Australians to address their financial situation and discover the positive difference that sound financial advice can make. This is another initiative in our long-standing commitment to increase access to trusted financial advice for Australians.”

Financial Planning Week takes place from 20-26 August 2012.