In the latest episode of Relative Return, host Laura Dew chats with Haran Karunakaran, fixed income investment director at Capital Group, to discuss why fixed income solutions are back in the spotlight of client portfolios for advisers.

Listen as they discuss:

• The reversal of adviser sentiment towards fixed income.
• The current fixed income market environment and the impact of US President Donald Trump.
• How portfolio allocations can be adapted in the event of a recession.
• A granular approach to fixed income allocations.
• What advisers should consider when selecting a fixed income fund.

Disclaimer: Investment involves risk. Statements attributed to an individual represent the opinions of that individual as of the date published and may not necessarily reflect the view of Capital Group or its affiliates. This communication is of a general nature, and not intended to provide investment, tax or other advice, or to be a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. All information is as at the date indicated and attributed to Capital Group unless otherwise stated. While Capital Group uses reasonable efforts to obtain information from third-party sources that it believes to be accurate, this cannot be guaranteed. Capital Group is represented in Australia by Capital Group Investment Management Limited (ACN 164 174 501 AFSL No. 443 118).

In this week’s episode of Relative Return Insider, Financial Services Council CEO Blake Briggs joins the show to break down what the federal election and new-look Treasury portfolio mean for the financial services industry.

Briggs explains that Dr Daniel Mulino enters the financial services minister role with a suite of policies announced under his predecessor but not yet completed, stressing the importance of taking a deliberative approach that would allow Mulino to put his own stamp on the portfolio while continuing the reform process.

Listen as they discuss:

• The importance of stakeholders engaging constructively with the government on financial services reform.
• Why the $3 million super tax remains a contentious issue, and the need to rethink its design.
• Where the Coalition will look for economic policy in the wake of its heavy election loss.

In this episode of The ifa Show, hosts Keith Ford and Maja Garaca Djurdjevic are joined by Blake Briggs, chief executive of the Financial Services Council, to unpack what the federal election and new-look Treasury portfolio mean for advisers and the broader industry.

Briggs explains that Dr Daniel Mulino enters the financial services minister role with a suite of policies announced under his predecessor but not yet completed, stressing the importance of a deliberative approach that would allow Mulino to put his own stamp on the portfolio while continuing the reform process.

Listen as they discuss:

• The importance of stakeholders engaging constructively with the government on financial services reform.
• Why the $3 million super tax remains a contentious issue and the need to re-think its design.
• Where the Coalition will look for economic policy in the wake of its heavy election loss.

In this episode of Relative Return, host Laura Dew chats with Andrew Lockhart, managing partner at Metrics Credit Partners, about the case for private debt, a fast-growing asset class gaining attention from advisers.

Listen as they discuss:

• The role private debt can play in a diversified portfolio.
• ASIC’s recent private markets report and potential implications.
• How Metrics mitigates possible risks to investors.
• The characteristics of private debt in Australia versus global exposure.
• The factors to consider when selecting a private debt fund.

Metrics Credit Partners Pty Ltd ABN 27 159 646 996 AFSL 416 146 (Metrics) makes no representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the content. The content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide you with financial advice. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Independent advice should be obtained from an Australian financial services licensee before making investment decisions. To the extent permitted by law, Metrics excludes all liability for any loss or damage arising in any way due to or in connection with the publication of this content, including by way of negligence. Past performance is not a indicator of future performance. All investments contain risk and may lose value.

With Labor winning the election with a clear majority, the SMSF sector is now once again poised for battle over the controversial Division 296 tax.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn sit down with SMSF Association CEO Peter Burgess to talk about the implications of the election results, what it may mean going forward, and the association’s plans to convince the elected politicians on the adverse outcomes of the tax.

The podcast will also delve into the latest draft DBFO legislation and how the proposed changes may affect advisers specialising in SMSFs.

Listen as they discuss:

• The election results and the impacts it will have on legislation.
• Time frames for the legislative process.
• Strategies going forward in lobbying the government.
• The DBFO draft legislation.

In this week’s episode of Relative Return Insider, AMP chief economist Shane Oliver joins the show to unpack the political and economic implications of the Labor’s sweeping election victory and how much the Liberal Party’s economic strategy played a role in the wipeout.

Oliver suggests the result reflects a rejection of extremism and a renewed appetite for centrist governance, potentially giving Labor the room to pursue more ambitious reforms in areas like taxation and productivity.

Tune in to hear:

• How avoiding a Labor–Greens minority government has reassured investors.
• Why the Coalition suffered from a campaign full of confused messaging and unpopular policies.
• The effect of flip-flopping trade policies in the US on business confidence.
• Expectations for interest rate cuts are expected over the rest of 2025.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Ben Marshan, director of Marshan Consulting, to unpack the implications of Labor’s sweeping electoral victory for the financial advice sector.

Marshan explains what the heavy majority means for financial legislation, including what the potential ministerial candidates could bring to the table that could influence the pace and direction of regulatory reform.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why the appointment of the next financial services minister will be pivotal.
• How proposed policies like the $3 million super tax could impact the tax system and the potential unintended consequences.
• What the options are for the Treasury portfolio on the opposition’s side.

In this week’s episode of Relative Return Insider, hosts Maja Garaca Djurdjevic and Keith Ford take a final look at the lay of the land ahead of the federal election as the latest polls predict a Labor victory, and what that could mean for Australians going forward.

YouGov has projected Labor as securing an outright majority when the polls close on Saturday, which would be a considerable turnaround from the situation just a few months ago. The Coalition has sought to claw back into the race with the release of its election costings, but with millions already voting early, it might be too late.

Tune in to hear:

• Why Trump-lite tactics may have backfired on Peter Dutton.
• What the S&P Global warning that Australia’s AAA credit rating may be at risk means for government budgeting.
• Whether a minority government is still in sight.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Dr Ben Neilson, financial adviser at Complete Wealth, to unpack how ongoing volatility in investment markets are affecting clients and how different cohorts are reacting.

As tariff announcements have caused a roller-coaster on stock markets, it is hard to blame clients for fretting. According to Nielson, the best way to manage concerned clients is to reach out proactively and ensure they know their adviser is in it with them.

Listen as they discuss:

• Demystifying the broader implications of market volatility for clients.
• The difference a few days can make in periods of rapid change.
• How to use unpredictable events as a tool to shift clients’ mindset.

In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn discuss the issues that may affect super and the policy positions of the two major parties.

Tax reform has been the elephant in the room during the federal election campaign, but there has been some mention of the Division 296 tax by the opposition, which has also made commitments regarding advice reforms and adviser numbers.

This podcast covers some of the big-ticket items concerning the advice and super sectors, including:

• Bargaining by the Greens to reduce the super tax threshold to $2 million and its impact on the transfer balance cap.
• Reforms to the CSLR.
• Increasing adviser numbers.
• Housing policies and tax implications.