Financial Services Industry Engagement

In November 2023, ASIC will host the first of a further series of virtual industry events as part of our continued engagement with the financial services industry under our Indigenous Financial Services Framework (Framework). Further details are available below.

This page contains:

Understanding and responding to identification challenges for First Nations consumers – 30 November 2023
Upcoming 2024 workshops (March and June)
Prior industry workshops

Understanding and responding to identification challenges for First Nations consumers – 30 November 2023

This workshop will bring together representatives from across the financial services industry, including credit, banking, general and life insurance, and the superannuation sectors. In holding a multi-industry sector workshop, we aim to encourage all sectors to share information and innovative approaches taking place because of the similarities of challenges experienced by First Nations consumers as they interact across the financial services system.

The themes which will be explored throughout this workshop include:

A deep dive into some case studies of First Nations consumers interactions with industry identification verification processes, in discussion with consumer advocates,
Delving into guidance on supporting consumers without conventional forms of identification through adapted and embedded flexible processes, and
Sharing and discussion of examples of current innovative approaches developed by communities and industry participants.

To express your interest in attending this workshop, please contact Indigenous.FS.Framework@asic.gov.au.

Workshop agenda

Time (AEDT)	Agenda item
1:30pm	Opening of workshop
1:40pm	Opening ASIC remarks from Commissioner Alan Kirkland
Understanding identification challenges for First Nations peoples
1:50pm	Panel: Consumer advocate case studies deep dive A discussion with consumer advocates Fiona Pettiford, Mark Holden and Marcel Sithole on the types of challenges their clients experience in verifying their identity to financial services providers
2:40pm	AUSTRAC: Assisting customers who don’t have standard forms of identification Presentation and Q&A on the AUSTRAC guidance with William Morris from AUSTRAC
3:10pm	Short break
3:15pm	Presentation and Q&A: ABA and community ID cards Hear from Ali Beiglari of the ABA on working with First Nations communities to develop community ID cards for use in meeting banks ID verification processes
3:40pm	Presentation and Q&A: Indigenous Business Australia’s approach to verifying identity Daniel Blanket and Nyree Gertz from the IBA will be discussing their approach to verifying the identity of their customers
4:20pm	Wrap up ASIC’s IOP will wrap up the day and summarise the key take aways for participants
4:30pm	End

Speaker Biographies

Fiona Pettiford – Manager, Money Support Hub Anglicare NT in remote East Arnhem, NT

Fiona manages the Money Support Hub East Arnhem for Anglicare NT. She is also a Financial Capability Worker and Financial Counsellor. Fiona and her team deliver Financial Wellbeing and Capability services to remote First Nations communities and homelands across the East Arnhem region. Fiona is passionate about assisting remote First Nations people and is particularly interested in advocacy to find solutions to systemic issues impacting clients.

Mark Holden – Senior Solicitor and Policy Advocate, Mob Strong Debt Help

Mark Holden is a Dunghutti man and, since 2018, has been a solicitor at the Financial Rights Legal Centre and a key member of the Centre’s “Mob Strong Debt Help” team. Some of his ongoing work involves providing assistance to, and advocacy for, hundreds of vulnerable First Nations’ consumers affected by the collapse of the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund (Youpla). Mr Holden has also provided valuable legal acumen and support to the Save Sorry Business campaign and works tirelessly to assist First Nations consumers in all areas of consumer protection.

Marcel Sithole – Coordinator, Fitzroy Financial Counselling Service, Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation

Marcel Sithole is the Coordinator of Fitzroy Financial Counselling Services from Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation in the Fitzroy Valley, Western Australia. Marra Worra Worra runs a variety of projects including the CDP, Housing & Tenancy Services, NDIS and Youth Programs. The catchment area includes over 40 communities spread across 5 language groups. Marra Worra Worra works to strengthen culture, support community and create sustainable solutions for the Fitzroy Valley.

Marcel provides Financial Counselling services at the Community Resource Centre in Fitzroy Crossing along with outreach to remote communities in the Fitzroy Valley. Marcel spent nearly half a decade working in different community services roles in the Fitzroy Valley area. Recently, he started the Financial Freedom Forum podcast in collaboration with Legal Aid & Kimberley Community Legal Service to share practical tips and insights for financial empowerment.

William Morris – Director, Regulatory Guidance AUSTRAC

William’s team develops guidance to help industries understand their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations. Will started his career in the private sector, working in litigation and criminal defence before moving to the Office of International Law in Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department. Will worked in financial crime policy before joining AUSTRAC, developing laws on anti-money laundering regulation, foreign bribery, criminal asset confiscation and sweeping changes to Commonwealth money laundering offences.

Ali Beiglari – Director, Policy, Australian Banking Association

Ali is a Director of Policy at the Australian Banking Association (ABA) responsible for access to banking policy issues including regional banking and First Nations banking policy. Prior to working at the ABA, Ali worked in government relations at Commonwealth Bank. Ali is an experienced social policy practitioner and lawyer, having previously worked as a Ministerial Adviser to the Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, PwC and the ATO.

Daniel Blanket – Advisor, Strategic Policy & Thought Leadership, Indigenous Business Australia

Daniel Blanket is descended from the Argan people of Badu Island in the Torres Strait. Based in Canberra, Daniel is a Policy Advisor within Indigenous Business Australia’s Strategy and Impact team. He joined IBA in February and has previous experience working in policy with other Commonwealth Departments but also State Government.

Nyree Gertz – Manager, Home Lending & Credit Assessment, Indigenous Business Australia

Nyree Gertz is descended from the Yadhaigana people of Cape York Peninsula and the Meriam people of the Torres Straits. Based in Townsville North Qld, Nyree is employed with Indigenous Business Australia in their Home Ownership Program, an area she has worked in for over 21 years. Nyree and her husband Dale are the proud parents of three young men and grandparents of two.

Upcoming 2024 workshops

Two further workshops on other areas relevant to First Nations consumers are currently being developed and we intend to hold them in March and June 2024.

Further details will be added as they are confirmed.

Prior industry workshops

Indigenous Super Summit – 22 June 2023

In 2023, ASIC assisted in facilitating the 2023 Indigenous Super Summit. Prior to this year’s event, the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST) has successfully hosted a several Indigenous Super Summits between 2015 – 2019.

This Summit provided an opportunity for representatives from the superannuation industry to build an understanding of and discuss opportunities for progress in addressing the unique and often complex challenges First Nations peoples can experience with access to and engagement with their superannuation. You can read more about it in the Summit program highlights and Summit summary document below.

Download

Indigenous Super Summit - 2023 | Summary Document

ASIC’s Financial Services Industry Workshop – 29 May 2023

Following previous sector-specific industry engagements, ASIC hosted a virtual workshop bringing together the credit, banking, superannuation, and insurance industry sectors.

The workshop explored key themes relevant to enabling more accessible and culturally appropriate product and service provision to First Nations consumers. You can read more about it in the workshop program highlights and workshop summary document below.

Download

ASIC’s Financial Services Industry Workshop | Summary Document

Sector specific workshops over 2021 and 2022

ASIC consulted with financial services industry sectors as part of the development of ASIC’s Indigenous Financial Services Framework (Framework). We facilitated and hosted three workshops with specific financial services industry sectors:

Credit and Banking sector (October 2021)
Superannuation sector (May 2022), and
General Insurance sector (June 2022).

The content and guest speakers for each workshop were tailored to each industry sector’s experience, engagement and level of public commitment to priorities for First Nations peoples.

Download

ASIC’s sector specific industry workshops | Combined summary document

More information

ASIC welcomes further engagement on our Indigenous Financial Services Framework and related initiatives. If you would like to find out more, please contact ASIC’s Indigenous Outreach Program at Indigenous.FS.Framework@asic.gov.au.