The FAAA has expanded its influence in the political world by appointing more than 150 “Advice Ambassadors” to liaise with elected officials to help promote the value of professional financial advice and ways to make financial advice more accessible to more Australians.
Originally appointed to liaise with candidates for the May 2025 federal election, their impact in keeping the profession front of mind with elected Members of Parliament extends well beyond election day.
The Advice Ambassadors span most of the country and their role is to liaise with MPs and Senators on topics relating to financial advice.
The idea of appointing the Advice Ambassadors followed the success of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) writing campaign in 2024. In this campaign, FAAA members were asked to write to their Member of Parliament and State Senators to explain the impost of the CSLR on advisers as small business owners which resulted in the mounting of a Senate Inquiry into the collapse of Dixon Advisory.
Longer term, Advice Ambassadors can provide their local parliamentarians with a deeper understanding of the value of professional financial advice.
The program will amplify our voice through appointed members in many electorates. FAAA Advice Ambassadors will be contributing to the policy and advocacy work of the association and building their own professional skills in liaising with parliamentarians.
The FAAA is very appreciative of the enthusiasm shown by the current cohort of Advice Ambassadors, and from the many members who volunteered to participate in the program – in many electorates, we were oversubscribed with interest to join the program. We all look forward to seeing the outcomes of the program in the future.
Former FPA chair Marisa Broome CFP® says she put her hand up to be an ambassador because it’s important for those making decisions about the profession to understand what members of the profession do.
“Many people still think that financial advisers just provide investment advice whereas what we do is strategic advice,” she said.
“If we can get the message out about what we do, it will make a big difference.”
Similarly, Pedro Marin CFP®, co-chair of the FAAA Brisbane Metro Community says he volunteered to be an ambassador because he felt his key strength was in telling stories to educate people on how advisers impact society.
“I hate to be in the stands telling players what to do, I like to be in the game, leading by example,” he said.
