Removal of direct carve-out gets AFA approval

Ms O'Dwyer yesterday released a revised draft legislation which “explicitly” ensures that the reforms apply to the direct sale of life risk insurance products.

Earlier this year, the AFA said it had reservations about a carve-out loophole exempting direct life insurance sales from the measures in the proposed legislation.

The AFA said it had negotiated with the government on the matter.

“This will ensure no loopholes and a level playing field for all advisers with absolutely no carve-out for direct sales, and that any future sales methods designed to avoid the reforms will be captured,” it said in a statement.

AFA chief executive Brad Fox said it “has achieved significant improvements relative to an otherwise level commission outcome”.

Other changes include the commencement date of 1 January 2018, as well as the removal of transition arrangements that allowed commissions to be paid on stamp duty for one year only.

“The life insurance reforms form part of the government’s actions to build consumer confidence in the financial services sector through initiatives such as improving professional standards for financial advisers,” Ms O'Dwyer said in a statement.

“The government is consulting on revised regulations to ensure that these important reforms work as effectively and efficiently as possible.”

The Corporations Amendment (Life Insurance Remuneration Arrangements) Bill 2016 was introduced into Parliament earlier this month.

Adrian Flores

Adrian Flores is a deputy editor at Momentum Media, focusing mainly on banking, wealth management and financial services. He has also written for Public Accountant, Accountants Daily and The CEO Magazine.

You can contact him on [email protected].