michelle levy

To fill Australia’s financial advice gap and empower better financial and retirement outcomes for millions, the government’s plan will create a “new class of advisers” from the institutional ranks to provide simple advice to customers. Industry groups have applauded the move.

While she acknowledged some in the industry may be resistant to expanding the scope of who can provide advice, the principal architect of the Quality of Advice Review urged support for its adoption, saying her recommendations are good for advisers and, most importantly, for consumers.

Consumer access to sound advice comes first, according to Michelle Levy, the Allens partner who recently led a review into the sector. She urged the government to dispense with any further consultations and get on with implementing the review’s far-reaching reforms.

Michelle Levy said she was ‘puzzled’ by the government’s decision to conduct a consultation on the proposals handed down in the advice review, while industry leaders urged for the adoption of her reform suite.

Review leader Michelle Levy has drafted a plan aimed at not only reducing the cost to provide comprehensive advice, but also allowing banks and super funds to re-enter the field and provide more people with simple advice on everyday personal finance matters.

Many have seen the value of their superannuation, property and share portfolios fall over the past six months, which has only highlighted the need for quality advice.