My decision to specialise in superannuation coincided with the start of our compulsory superannuation regime and I have ridden the many waves of regulatory reform since then. I have had a diverse career which has included working as in-house counsel and working with ASIC. These experiences enable me to offer my clients a perspective on the policy context to the law as well as some understanding of its practical impacts. I have worked extensively with clients on the development of retirement income products and annuities to address the evolving needs and expectations of retirees.

Career highlights

• Supported a large industry superannuation fund to develop an innovative retirement income product offering certainty of returns and inflation protection;
• Played a significant role in the policy reforms that culminated in the introduction of a retirement income covenant into superannuation law;
• Acted for a large RSE licensee on a major superannuation restructure prompted by the "dual regulated entity" law reforms introduced in response to the Hayne Royal Commission;
• Provided technical and strategic superannuation support in connection with a sale of a significant superannuation business, including advising on the required change of control application to APRA;
• Advising an industry superannuation fund trustee in connection with a major remediation program involving oversight by ASIC;
• Supporting a superannuation trustee in negotiations with APRA in relation to development of a merger proposal.

• Submission in relation to the Quality of Advice Review
  

  MinterEllison's submission on Exposure Draft Bill to implement Quality of Advice Tranche 1 reforms

• FAR preparation for the insurance and super sectors
  

  The Financial Accountability Regime (FAR) Bill and its associated rules have been passed, setting new accountability standards for the banking, insurance, and superannuation sectors starting from March 2024, with regulators releasing detailed guidelines and transitional rules.

• Government response to the Quality of Advice Review
  

  The government has released its long-awaited response to the Quality of Advice Review. Here's what you need to know. 

• APRA's new operational risk standard finalised
  

  The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its long-awaited new cross industry prudential standard - CPS 230 Operational Risk Management (CPS 230) – to 'strengthen the management of operational risk across APRA’s regulated population'.  APRA has also opened consultation on draft guidance to support implementation.  Here's what you need to know.

• Quality of Advice Review | Consultation opens on draft Bill to implement the 'first tranche' of planned reforms
  

  The draft Bill proposes to implement the government's response to 11 QAR recommendations with the aim of 'cut[ting] onerous red tape that adds to the cost of advice with no benefit to consumers'.  We've summarised the key points.

• FAR implementation | Financial Accountability Regime (Minister Rules) 2024 published
  

  Who is an 'accountable person' under the FAR and when will accountable entities meet the 'enhanced notification' threshold? Here's what's in the long-awaited Financial Accountability Regime (Minister Rules) 2024

• FAR transition | Regulators issue final Rules
  

  ASIC and APRA have finalised new Rules setting out what information they need from ADIs about their Accountable Persons (APs) at the 'transition point' from the BEAR to the FAR - Financial Accountability Regime (Consequential Amendments) Transitional Rules 2024 (Transitional Rules) - and confirming the information to be included in the FAR register of accountable persons -Financial Accountability Regime Act (Information for register) Regulator Rules 2024 (Regulator rules).  Here's what you need to know.

• Quality of Advice Review | Proposed roadmap for implementing the 'second tranche' of reforms released
  

  The government has outlined its proposed approach to implementing Tranche 2 of its response to the Quality of Advice Review Recommendations. 

• Superannuation trustees and FAR: Who are your significant related entities?
  

  Superannuation trustees should take proactive steps to identify their significant related entities (SREs) to ensure compliance with their obligations under FAR.

• Should you be updating your superannuation calculator?
  

  Changes to ASIC's superannuation calculator relief come into operation on New Year's Day

   

• ASIC targets greenwashing with a social dimension
  

  Australia's corporate regulator has issued its second fine for greenwashing, with a focus on the social dimension.

• Response to Treasury Quality of Advice Review consultation paper
  

  MinterEllison has made a submission on the proposals in the Quality of Advice Review consultation paper released on 29 August 2022. We welcome the far reaching reforms proposed by the Review which have the potential to make personal financial product advice more accessible and affordable while reducing regulatory burden on advice licensees.

• MinterEllison continues to grow its superannuation practice
  

  Leading law firm MinterEllison has attracted another legal expert to join its rapidly expanding superannuation practice.

• What’s needed to ‘optimise the retirement phase of super’? Suggested key priorities for reform
  

  Our submission to the government's Retirement Phase of Superannuation Discussion Paper