The financial services industry’s heavy hitters descended on the Gold Coast in August for the annual Financial Services Council Conference. Delivered under the banner of ‘Visualise’, the three-day event featured an exceptional range of speakers, including journalist Peter Greste, former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and current politicians Chris Bowen and Josh Frydenberg.
The Conference also marked the first for new CEO, Sally Loane. She used her address to the event to call for a bipartisan agreement to increase the Superannuation Guarantee to 12% by 2022. In stating the policy position, Ms Loane highlighted findings of new research from Rice Warner, commissioned by the FSC, which revealed an average Australian woman must contribute 18% of her income to super from the time she enters the workforce to achieve an adequate, self-funded retirement.
Life insurance was featured as part of the break-out sessions, which included a panel discussion about developing a Life Insurance Code of Conduct (see: Advisers Exempt from Insurance Code). Attendees also heard from experts on the way technology will influence underwriting practices in the future, and the role financial advice plays in improving personal well-being.
The FSC also presented its Industry Excellence Awards, as part of its Gala Dinner which was held on a chilly evening at Warner Bros. Movie World.
Photographs by Andrea Francolini