Twin peaks
Recommendation 6.1 – Retain twin peaks The ‘twin peaks’ model of financial regulation should be retained. |
ASIC’s enforcement practices
Recommendation 6.2 – ASIC’s approach to enforcement ASIC should adopt an approach to enforcement that:
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Superannuation: Conduct regulation
Recommendation 6.3 – General principles for co-regulation The roles of APRA and ASIC in relation to superannuation should be adjusted to accord with the general principles that:
Effect should be given to these principles by taking the steps described in Recommendations 6.4 and 6.5. Recommendation 6.4 – ASIC as conduct regulator Without limiting any powers APRA currently has under the SIS Act, ASIC should be given the power to enforce all provisions in the SIS Act that are, or will become, civil penalty provisions or otherwise give rise to a cause of action against an RSE licensee or director for conduct that may harm a consumer. There should be co‑regulation by APRA and ASIC of these provisions. Recommendation 6.5 – APRA to retain functions APRA should retain its current functions, including responsibility for the licensing and supervision of RSE licensees and the powers and functions that come with it, including any power to issue directions that APRA presently has or is to be given. |
The BEAR: Co-regulation
Recommendation 6.6 – Joint administration of the BEAR ASIC and APRA should jointly administer the BEAR. ASIC should be charged with overseeing those parts of Divisions 1, 2 and 3 of Part IIAA of the Banking Act that concern consumer protection and market conduct matters. APRA should be charged with overseeing the prudential aspects of Part IIAA. Recommendation 6.7 – Statutory amendments The obligations in sections 37C and 37CA of the Banking Act should be amended to make clear that an ADI and accountable person must deal with APRA and ASIC (as the case may be) in an open, constructive and co-operative way. Practical amendments should be made to provisions such as section 37K and section 37G(1) so as to facilitate joint administration. Recommendation 6.8 – Extending the BEAR Over time, provisions modelled on the BEAR should be extended to all APRA-regulated financial services institutions. APRA and ASIC should jointly administer those new provisions. |
Co-ordination and information sharing
Recommendation 6.9 – Statutory obligation to co-operate The law should be amended to oblige each of APRA and ASIC to:
Recommendation 6.10 – Co-operation memorandum ASIC and APRA should prepare and maintain a joint memorandum setting out how they intend to comply with their statutory obligation to co-operate. The memorandum should be reviewed biennially and each of ASIC and APRA should report each year on the operation of and steps taken under it in its annual report. |
Governance
Recommendation 6.11 – Formalising meeting procedure The ASIC Act should be amended to include provisions substantially similar to those set out in sections 27–32 of the APRA Act – dealing with the times and places of Commissioner meetings, the quorum required, who is to preside, how voting is to occur and the passing of resolutions without meetings. Recommendation 6.12 – Application of the BEAR to regulators In a manner agreed with the external oversight body (the establishment of which is the subject of Recommendation 6.14 below) each of APRA and ASIC should internally formulate and apply to its own management accountability principles of the kind established by the BEAR. Recommendation 6.13 – Regular capability reviews APRA and ASIC should each be subject to at least quadrennial capability reviews. A capability review should be undertaken for APRA as soon as is reasonably practicable. |
Oversight
Recommendation 6.14 – A new oversight authority A new oversight authority for APRA and ASIC, independent of Government, should be established by legislation to assess the effectiveness of each regulator in discharging its functions and meeting its statutory objects. The authority should be comprised of three part-time members and staffed by a permanent secretariat. It should be required to report to the Minister in respect of each regulator at least biennially. |