RICHARD BATTEN   The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) made a product intervention order on 22 October 2020 that imposes conditions on the issue and distribution of contracts ...ANDREW HOWARD   The conditions around the COVID-19 pandemic—economic uncertainty and lack of internal controls in a new digital workplace—have created the perfect ecosystem for financial ...

JOSHUA KENDALL   Wirecard, the German payments company, filed for insolvency on 25 June 2020 after the group revealed over-indebtedness and reported incidences of fraud. Having issued an investment ...STUART SIMMONS   This paper explores why trading at the London 4pm WM/Refinitiv benchmark fix (Fix) brings Australian institutional investors only the illusory benefits of maximum liquidity. The ...

SELWYN BLACK   A considerable proportion of our wealth now sits in superannuation. It is estimated that at the age of retirement (age 60-64) the average Australian will have over $200,000 in ...DEIDRE GROVER   Insurance through superannuation is widely utilised in Australia and plays an important role given the benefits it can provide individuals. However, the deduction of insurance ...

DANIEL MCKEAN   As confirmed by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), we now live in a world where cyber-related identity crime is "more common than robbery, motor vehicle theft, household ...KARREN VERGARA   The subject of life insurance does not spark interest for many, typically because it's perceived as boring, complicated and expensive. Over the last decade, however, the life ...

MICHAEL RICE   Would it reduce inequality in Australia? Retirement Income Review The Retirement Income Review was formed in September 2019 with the appointment of the Panel Members, Mike Callaghan ...MANSI DESAI   From 1 January 2015, the income test assessment (the assets test assessment remained unchanged) for account-based pensions (ABPs) changed to be treated under the deeming provisions ...

ANGUS MORRISON   Want to know whether superannuation should be paid to contractors? If you engage contractors, the cost of getting this wrong can be extremely high. Government legislation is complex.PETER TOWNSEND   The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has recently published 'Regulation 8.02B and evidence to support real property valuations' which outlines its evidence approach and requirements ...

PAUL O'BRIEN   There is a range of trends, themes and issues that our industry will need to address this year. Improving environment, but increasing challenges The majority of respondents expect ...DOUG MCBIRNIE   Life expectancy is a statistical indication of how long a person may live as opposed to an estimate of how long they will live. It is typically based on their year of birth, current ...