Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

In relation to the 'best interest' duty: those opposite should understand that what was put into the legislation was seven steps that financial advisers were being guided to act upon if they were to act in the best interests of clients. The reason that was done is that financial advisers were seeking clear guidance on how to perform those functions. In other words, it was made a safe harbour to give them guidance. It was not put in as further protection for consumers. What happened is that the seventh part of the protection that was put in was a catch-all that effectively undermined the guidance that was provided by the first six steps on how a financial adviser would meet the 'best interest' test. On top of that, nothing has been altered, requiring that advice be appropriate to the client—