In this episode of Relative Return Insider, host Keith Ford is joined by Accountants Daily journalist Imogen Wilson to take a look at why there has been such broad support for a more comprehensive tax reform discussion at the Treasurer’s economic roundtable.

While a desire for holistic tax reform has been a consistent feature of submissions to the roundtable, Wilson explains that views start to diverge once it gets to the details, with arguments for increasing the GST, lowering corporate tax rates, and capital gains tax and negative gearing reform.

Tune in to hear:

• Why there is a push for a cautious implementation of AI to boost productivity.
• How the superannuation system can have a positive impact on productivity.
• Whether there is enough political capital to get holistic tax reform over the line.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Financial Advice Association Australia general manager of policy, advocacy and standards Phil Anderson joins host Keith Ford to take a deep dive into the latest Compensation Scheme of Last Resort consultation, this time focusing on how the special levy should be decided.

With $47.3 million left to be covered for FY2025–26, Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino has a decision on his hands: either do nothing, delay payments, put it all on advisers, or spread the cost. Anderson explains why the FAAA believes widening the sectors that will cover the excess cost is the most equitable and sustainable way forward.

Tune in to hear:

• How spreading the cost across a broader range of sectors can work in practice.
• The impact of recent large-scale fund failures on the CSLR and how the government might respond.
• Whether the Treasury review will result in substantive legislative change or just temporary solutions.

In this week’s episode of Relative Return Insider, AMP chief economist Shane Oliver joins the show to discuss Australia’s stagnating productivity ahead of the government’s economic reform roundtable, and how picking all the “low-hanging fruit” for reform in the ’90s helped kick off a surge that has since stalled out.

Oliver outlines several key areas to boost productivity, advocating for tax reform – specifically reducing reliance on income tax and increasing the GST, while also addressing taxes like stamp duty – and deregulation of product and labour markets, incentivising business investment through the tax system, and enhancing competition across a range of industries

Tune in to hear:

• How the ongoing erratic tariff announcements and the claims from trade deals are hard to rely on.
• Whether the complacency of markets is cause for concern.
• Why the latest inflation figures bode well for further interest rate cuts.

In the latest episode of the SMSF Adviser Show, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn break down some of the alternative methods to remove concessions for large super balances without resorting to taxing unrealised gains, with a range of options being delivered in recent weeks.

The IFPA put forward compulsory cashing, while Geoff Wilson and Wilson Asset Management offered up a progressive super surcharge model, with both looking to meet the government’s stated aim for Division 296 in a manner that leaves unrealised gains untouched.

Listen as they discuss:

• What is missing when the government talks about liquidity and diversity requirements for super funds that hold farmland.
• The spike in SMSF-related complaints to AFCA, largely on the back of major financial failures like United Global Capital.
• When Division 296 is likely to land back in parliament.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Charlie Viola, the executive chairman of Viola Private Wealth, to discuss how private markets allow his firm to better deliver on the increasingly complex needs of its ultra-high-net-worth client base.

As private markets continue to emerge as a key tool for diversification, Viola suggests that investment vehicles, such as managed accounts, can allow advisers to access and utilise private markets without the need for complex, in-house investment functions.

Listen as they discuss:

• How private markets can play a key role in long-term investment planning.
• Why more choices can be a “double-edged sword” for advisers.
• The challenge of keeping clients focused when an asset performs above expectations.

• Why tailored ransom demands and the dark web ecosystem of services like ransomware-as-a-service are on the rise.
• Case studies of recent cyber attacks, including the Qantas data breach, and the importance of rapid and transparent incident response.

• The concept of third-party risk and the legal implications for companies, as highlighted by ASIC’s lawsuit against Fortnum Private Wealth.

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Keith Ford is joined by Andrew Saikal-Skea, founder of Saikal-Skea Independent Financial Advice, to discuss the value of providing completely independent advice and how it can help remove the invisible barrier that even the perception of third-party influence can create.

Saikal-Skea also breaks down how this focus on independence and being self-licensed, along with a specialisation in helping military personnel both while serving and as they transition, has led to another niche – providing global advisory services to clients in a range of foreign jurisdictions.

Listen as they discuss:

• The complexity of working with clients living overseas and the unique challenges different countries present.
• How specialising in specific client demographics or financial situations allows advisers to develop deep expertise and ensure clients receive the most appropriate and tailored advice.
• Why it’s vital to bridge the gap between providing quality financial advice and servicing everyday Australians.

The latest episode of Relative Return sees host Laura Dew chat with Richard Ivers and Mike Younger, co-portfolio managers at Prime Value Asset Management, on their newly launched Microcap Fund and opportunities in small and mid-cap shares.

Listen as they discuss:

• Small-cap opportunities presented by the macroeconomic environment.
• How Prime Value mitigates the risk of early-stage investment.
• Its new Microcap Fund and benefits of these companies.
• Sectors where the firm is seeing positive traction.
• How small-cap equities can fit in a client’s portfolio.