AIOFP criticises proposed single EDR scheme

Last month, the government introduced the new external dispute resolution (EDR) framework that will grant further powers to ASIC and instate a new complaints body called the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) to replace current dispute resolution bodies such as the Financial Ombudsman Service. 

In a submission to Treasury, the AIOFP voiced concerns that the AFCA will have too much power.

“The AFCA will have too much discretion and flexibility in reaching decisions. For all disputes, other than those involving superannuation, AFCA will be free to depart from the law and apply subjective concepts like fairness, good practice and codes of practice which may be unrelated to the activities of our members,” the AIOFP said.

“AFCA will not be accountable to members for controlling costs and applying appropriate standards of governance. Like most monopolies, in the absence of externally imposed controls, AFCA will tend to be inefficient with the potential for excessive spending.”

The AIOFP also voiced concerns over the representation of smaller members of the financial services community, saying the industry directors of ombudsman schemes historically tend to be from the major institutions.

“Without predictable decisions and accountability to all industry participants, there will be no confidence in the government’s new one-stop shop for financial services dispute resolution,” the association said.

The new single EDR scheme has received similar backlash from other industry associations since it was announced in the May 2017 federal budget.