News

In tonight’s 2014-15 Budget announcement, the Federal Government held firm on its commitment to avoid adverse changes to superannuation. There are some amendments outlined however that will benefit financial planning clients, and as a result have been welcomed by the FPA. Specifically, the FPA welcomes changes to the non-concessional cap, which it views as a fairer and more workable solution. It is also in support of the Government’s stated commitment to increasing Super Guarantee (SG) to 12%, albeit with a slightly changed timeline, and the increase in the pension age. Dante De Gori, General Manager, Policy and Conduct at the

The FPA has bolstered its senior ranks with a new executive role designed to promote and strengthen the growth of the financial planning profession in Australia. FPA CEO Mark Rantall has today announced the appointment of respected financial planning executive Tom Reddacliff to the new role of General Manager, Member Growth & Marketing. With strong financial planning sector credentials, Mr Reddacliff will spearhead a concerted approach to concurrently grow the numbers of professional members and engage more Australians about the difference a professional financial planner can make in their lives. Mr Reddacliff will primarily focus on working with professional practices,

The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has today announced the institution of the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award, a prize that will be awarded to the highest achieving student in the CFP® Certification Program each semester. The award honours the memory of the late ‘First Lady of Financial Planning’ and supports a key legacy of her lifelong endeavours to champion the vital role of education and its central importance in nurturing a financial planning profession. Mark Rantall, CEO of the FPA, says the award both honours and perpetuates Gwen’s service to the profession and, by extension, the financial wellbeing of all Australians.

One of the financial advice sector’s most prominent senior executives has joined the board of Future2 Foundation. Marianne Perkovic, Executive General Manager Advice at Commonwealth Bank, was unanimously endorsed as a Future2 director/trustee at a recent board meeting, for a three year term. Future2 Chair Steve Helmich warmly welcomed Ms Perkovic to the board. “Marianne is one of the most outstanding women in Australian financial services. We have no doubt that our board will benefit hugely from her contribution, drawn on a long and distinguished career. “As Future2 works towards greater engagement by financial planners in their profession’s charitable foundation,

2014 Future2 Wheel Classic opens for registrations Cyclists in the financial planning community can now register online to join the 2014 Future2 Wheel Classic. Their challenge is to raise $100,000 by riding from Melbourne to Adelaide, 13-19 November, arriving to a reception on the eve of the FPA Professionals Congress. Now in its fifth year, the Future2 Wheel Classic has become an iconic fundraising event both for the cyclists who take part and in the wider financial planning profession. Funds raised enable Future2 to make grants to community not-for-profits that give disadvantaged kids all over Australia a new start and

The Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC) today announced the two winners of the inaugural FPEC University Research Grants. The winners of the grants have been named as a team from Griffith University and a consortium of academics from Griffith University, University of Southern Queensland and University of New England. The initial grants, sponsored jointly by Kaplan Professional and the Financial Planning Association (FPA), are for $5,000 each and represent a commitment to encouraging the development of financial planning as an academic discipline in its own right. Speaking about the grants, Chairman of the Grant Standing Committee of the FPEC, Ms

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has submitted its recommendations to the Financial System Inquiry with a view to creating a more efficient, effective and innovative financial system, consistent with financial stability, professionalism and fairness. Dante De Gori, General Manager of Policy and Conduct at the FPA, said: “The Financial System Inquiry is a valuable opportunity to assess how our financial sector can adapt to better provide all Australians with the opportunity to experience the benefits of our world-leading system. “The FPA urges the Inquiry to consider the end user of our financial system – Australian citizens – and

Financial Planning Association of Australia CEO Mark Rantall says today’s ‘good faith’ decision to place on hold the introduction of regulatory amendments to FoFA legislation is a welcome initiative. “The FPA applauds Finance Minister Matthias Cormann for taking further time to properly investigate changes that would otherwise have been introduced as regulatory reform this week. “The FPA fundamentally supports the original intent of the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) reforms based on sensible policy alignment, removal of unnecessary red tape and maintenance of consumer protection. “We welcome the decision by Minister Cormann and look forward to continuing our constructive discussions

Wednesday, 19 March 2014 The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has welcomed the Government’s amended restrictions to the general advice exemption under FoFA. The Corporations Amendment (Streamlining of Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2014 was introduced in Parliament today. The FPA has consistently and clearly raised the issue of potential consumer risks – through its submissions to Government and in the public arena – particularly highlighting the general advice exemption and conflicted remuneration issues. “Today’s change of tack by the Government is a welcome approach. It shows our repeated efforts on behalf of Australian consumers and professional financial planners

Wednesday, 26 February 2014 The 2014 Future2 Wheel Classic – the annual long-distance cycling event that is now an established part of the foundation’s fundraising calendar – will follow a new route from Melbourne to Adelaide between 13-19 November. The 2014 Future2 Wheel Classic – the annual long-distance cycling event that is now an established part of the foundation’s fundraising calendar – will follow a new route from Melbourne to Adelaide between 13-19 November. The cyclists will ride into Adelaide to a reception on the eve of the Financial Planning Association’s Professionals Congress. Expressions of interest are being made by