Australia

Crypto / Digital Assets

Australian Firm Seeks to List Spot Bitcoin ETF on Cboe

By Editors | 06/04/2024

The “Monochrome Bitcoin ETF”, if approved, will become Australia’s first spot bitcoin ETF with direct bitcoin holdings.

ESG / Sustainability

New Zealand to Relax Rules for Green Bond Issuance

By Editors | 04/04/2024

The proposed class exemption would make it easier for listed companies to bring green, social, sustainable, and sustainability-linked bonds to market.

AFCA Alarmed by Rising Complaints Regarding Hardship Assistance

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/04/2024

In 2023, AFCA recorded a 25% increase in complaints involving financial difficulty, which includes disputes over hardship assistance.

ESG / Sustainability

APRA to Conduct Second Climate Risk Management Survey

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/04/2024

APRA will make the survey available to all banking, insurance, and superannuation entities that it supervises, though participation is voluntary.

Enforcement

ACCC Fines HSBC for Disclosing Inaccurate CDR Data

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/04/2024

HSBC failed to disclose complete mortgage interest rate details and accurate credit card balances in response to separate requests for this data made via the CDR.

Australia Consults On Designated Complaints Function Within ACCC

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 31/03/2024

Designated consumer and small business advocates will be able to submit a complaint to the ACCC about a systemic market issue.

APRA Confirms Plans to Publish Super Fund Expense Data

By Editors | 30/03/2024

Super fund data on director remuneration, travel and entertainment, payments to industrial bodies, and asset allocation will be published.

Australia Tables New Financial Advice Legislation in Parliament

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 30/03/2024

The legislation is part of a broader package of reforms aimed at increasing the accessibility and affordability of financial advice.

ESG / Sustainability

ASIC Wins First Greenwashing Action Against Vanguard

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 30/03/2024

The court found that Vanguard contravened the ASIC Act in its representations about the ESG exclusionary screens applied to one of its index funds.