The ifa Show

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by shadow treasurer Angus Taylor to discuss the current state of the financial advice sector, the economy, the housing affordability crisis and more.

Taylor, a key figure in the opposition, shared his views on a range of issues from the government's handling of the Quality of Advice Review (QAR) to the challenges facing the Australian economy, including productivity, while also emphasising the principle that superannuation is Australians' money, not the government's.

The shadow treasurer shares his belief that the answer to most problems is less government intervention and not more.

"I'm a big believer in getting government out of the way as much as you can," Taylor says.

Touching on Labor's perceived regulatory overreach, specifically in financial services, Taylor says: "The commitment on our side … is to recognise that there has been regulatory overreach, that we have got a whole group of Australians now that are under-advised, underinsured and underbanked, and that we've got to have more accessible financial services and advice if Australians are to have the prosperity they deserve."

Tune in to hear him speak about:

• The advice profession and the Coalition's intentions.
• Broader economic challenges.
• The Help to Buy scheme, and more.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by Estelle Parker, the co-CEO of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), to discuss the upcoming RIAA conference and how financial advisers can improve their skills in responsible investment.

Parker breaks down the areas of focus for the conference and the broader role of the RIAA in shaping investment practices that not only promise returns but also ensure alignment with ethical standards and values.

Listen as she discusses:

• The increasing demand among Australians for their investments to reflect their values.
• RIAA's sustainable investment advice course, which will help financial advisers meet the evolving demands of the market.
• Why it is important for advisers to understand their clients' attitudes towards responsible investing.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by ifa news editor Keith Ford to discuss the first bill coming out of the Quality of Advice Review and the advice profession becoming a hot-button political issue. With concerns swirling around the timeline for implementation, the Coalition has come out swinging, calling the drafting of the bill an "embarrassing blunder". However, given the efforts of the previous government, is it a case of the right message but the wrong messenger?

In this podcast, Maja and Keith discuss:

• Criticisms of the government's implementation of the legislation and how it positions the advice profession politically.
• Whether there will be delays in its passage through Parliament and if more legislation will be tabled this year.
• The concerns that advice associations have raised.

In the latest episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic sits down with founder and director of Forte Asset Solutions, Steve Prendeville, to dissect what makes a successful advice business in 2024.

Ahead of his appearance at the Adviser Innovation Summit 2024, Prendeville discusses the evolving advice landscape, touching on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Listen as he discusses:

• The resilience of advice businesses in navigating challenges like high inflation and interest rates, highlighting the importance of organic growth opportunities.
• The stabilising trend in profit margins for advice businesses, leading to increased reinvestment in operations.
• Trends shaping the advice profession, including digital service delivery, ethical investing, and advisers' move towards self-licensing for greater control over their business models.

In the latest episode of the ifa Show, host Keith Ford sits down with Nathan Fradley, who has recently launched a standalone advice business to focus on complex cases that require specialist attention. Fradley explains why he decided to leave his previous role and the provision of ongoing advice in favour of working with financial advisers and their clients in a way that is modelled on how a barrister works with solicitors.

Listen as they discuss:

• How "niching" within advice can improve outcomes.
• The Compensation Scheme of Last Resort levy and the need for a break from regulatory changes.
• Where the financial advice profession is heading.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by Phil Anderson to discuss the industry's concerns regarding the latest CSLR levy, emphasising the unexpected scale of the levy and its focus on covering legacy issues. Anderson, who is the general manager of policy advocacy and standards at the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA), highlights the unexpected scale of the levy and its focus on addressing legacy issues, expressing surprise at the burden placed on advisers.

The conversation also delves into the reasons behind advisers being tasked with covering expenses they believed would be shouldered by the government, shedding light on the complexities of the situation and its potential impacts on the advice sector.

Tune in to gain insights into this pressing issue and the ongoing efforts to address it.

There are so many amazingly successful women in the finance industry, but only a small number have a strong brand and online presence in this traditionally male-dominated industry. As we celebrate International Women's Day, we want to help more women raise their profile and showcase the incredible professionals in this space. In this episode, partnered by Mortgage Choice (part of the REA Group), we're picking the brain of its executive manager, corporate communications, events & franchise marketing, Sally Chadwick, to find out:

• How to build a brand presence.
• The benefits of having a strong brand presence.
• Top tips to help you get started today.

And much more!

In the latest episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic sits down with Adele Martin, the founder of My Money Buddy and the Savings Squad podcast, on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Martin and Djurdjevic discuss the latest gender pay gap data, as well as ways to attract more women into financial advice and the potential for women to make a significant impact in the sector.

Listen as they discuss:

• The importance of fair representation.
• The role advice plays in helping women secure safe financial futures.
• How advisers celebrating achievements can help financial advice move closer to achieving gender equality.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Peter Johnston, executive director of the Association of Independently Owned Financial Professionals (AIOFP), to discuss the recent creation of a new joint association. Mr Johnston explains why the AIOFP joined forces with the Finance Brokers Association of Australasia (FBAA) to form the Independent Financial Council (IFC), as well as why now is the time for the advice profession to push its agenda in Canberra.

Listen as they discuss:

• Why Mr Johnston thinks the IFC can be more effective than the Joint Associations Working Group (JAWG).
• How the Quality of Advice Review consultations are tracking and where changes might come.
• The recent move for 400 InterPrac advisers to join the AIOFP.

In this episode of the ifa Show, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by ifa news editor Keith Ford to discuss the latest on the QAR and other regulatory changes affecting the profession. A year has passed since Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones released the final report on the Quality of Advice Review, a move that was eagerly awaited by the financial advice community. Despite the release, the journey towards implementing the recommendations has been slow, marked by a series of roundtables and consultations.

In this podcast, Maja and Keith discuss:

• The likelihood that QAR commitments will be legislated this year.
• Treasury's Senate estimates appearance and the "qualified adviser" conundrum.
• The implications of the ASIC levy increase for advisers, and more.