The Consequences of Reform – AFA Call to Action

4

In a call to action, the AFA says all its members have a role to play in ensuring federal politicians understand the consequences of financial services reform.

In a message to its member base following the recent conclusion of its 2019 Annual Conference in Adelaide, the Association argued that because most of the key decisions facing financial advice will be addressed by Parliament, “…we all have a role to play in talking to politicians to ensure they understand the consequences of any reforms.”

Given the proposition that politicians respond favourably to voters within their own electorates, the AFA has issued an advocacy pack and other support material to assist its members in their discussions with their local federal member of parliament.

The package of documents comprises:

  • An Advocacy Pack that includes discussion on the key issues that the industry and advisers currently face and where the AFA would like to see a more informed debate
  • A two-page summary of the key issues and the AFA’s recommendations, which could be shared with the adviser’s local member
  • A Guide to contacting and arranging a meeting with the adviser’s local federal member of parliament

Based on the premise that politicians respond most favourably to voters within their own electorates, the Association is encouraging its members to take the time to meet their local federal member and to discuss with them what they do and the great value they deliver to their clients:

This is not something that you can leave for others to do…

“We want them to take an interest in financial advice and to understand the benefits that you deliver for your clients. We are also encouraging you to build a relationship with your local Member that you can leverage in the future as key issues emerge.”

In a clear message that calls for each adviser member to take responsibility, the Association told its members:

“This is not something that you can leave for others to do. We are at a critical point in this reform, where we need to be both active and vocal.”



RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

4 COMMENTS

    • A good question Rob, but Phil Kewin only took over as the head of the AFA in the last 2 years. It was his predecessor who left a lot to be desired when it came to representing the AFA’s members.

  2. Good on the AFA for suggesting this. Both myself and another adviser in my area met with our local member separately, about a year or so ago, which proved beneficial in that he began to see things from our perspective. We discovered that he was one of those in Canberra who then represented the adviser. May I add to what the AFA has proposed by suggesting that when meeting with your local member, ask them to have a chat with Bert Van Manen – a Coalition MP from QLD. He understands the advisers’ position and can help his consituents appreciate what we’re going through.

Comments are closed.