Enquiries

To make an enquiry or subscribe to media releases please contact:
secretariat@afma.com.au

Introduction

AFMA's position on key issues that affect our financial markets are represented in our media releases.

Date Title & Summary Topic Area
20 January 2012
 Protecting your online trading account

Online securities trading offers great flexibility for share investing from home for competitive prices and is increasingly popular.

Other
13 December 2011
 A Positive Step to Develop the Retail Bond Market

The Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) welcomed the release today of the Government's discussion paper as a significant step towards the development of a more vibrant retail corporate bond market.

Other
2 December 2011
 Government Right to Reject Transactions Tax

The Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) supports the position of the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, and Assistant Treasurer, Bill Shorten, in rejecting a call for the introduction of a financial transactions tax made at the ALP's National Conference today.

 Taxation
2 December 2011
 AFMA Prime Bank List Affirmed

The Australian Financial Markets Association today reaffirmed the list of AFMA Prime Banks.

 Other
30 November 2011
 AFMA Prime Bank List Amended

The Australian Financial Markets Association today announced a revision to the list of AFMA Prime Banks.

 Other
28 November 2011
 New best practice guidelines for handling confidential and price-sensitive information and market soundings

Today AFMA announces the release of its 'Best practice guidelines for handling confidential and price-sensitive information and market soundings' to the Australian market (Guidance).  This new Guidance relates to the handling of confidential information and the conduct of market soundings with respect specifically to equity capital markets and mergers & acquisitions transactions occurring in Australia.

 Other
6 October 2011
 AFMA Supports Tax System Improvements

The Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) supports the structure for the Tax System Advisory Board that the Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, announced at the Tax Forum in Canberra yesterday.

 Taxation
5 October 2011
 Australia's Financial Markets Prove Effective in Challenging Times

The 2011 Australian Financial Markets Report released today demonstrates the strong ongoing capability of Australia’s financial markets to serve the needs of the economy, notwithstanding continued uncertainty and volatility in world financial markets.

 Other
26 September 2011
 AFMA Prime Banks Re-confirmed

The Australian Financial Markets Association today announced the conclusion of its 2011 Prime Bank Survey and the re-election of the existing AFMA Prime Banks, effective immediately.

 Other
26 August 2011
 The Government Consults on Financial Market Cost Recovery Model

The Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) notes the release by the Government of its consultation paper on the 'Proposed financial market cost recovery model'.  AFMA welcomes the recognition given in the consultation paper of the following key principles for considering the cost recovery model: fairness; transparency; subject to ongoing review and robust corporate governance; market neutrality; industry competitiveness; international competitiveness; and certainty.

 Other
12 August 2011
 CFD Industry Welcomes Guidance on Enhanced Disclosure Framework

The Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) welcomes the release by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) today of guidance that will ensure high standards of disclosure to retail investors in contracts for difference (CFDs).  Regulatory Guide 227 Over-the-Counter contracts for difference: Improving disclosure for retail investors introduces benchmarks around key aspects of how CFD issuers interact with investors and requires issuers to ensure that disclosure to investors on these aspects are clear and informative.

 Other
10 July 2011
 Increased Certainty in Carbon Scheme Welcomed by Markets

AFMA views the release of the details of the Government's Climate Change Plan as a welcome step towards the establishment of a viable carbon market that can assist Australia achieve its emissions reductions targets.

 Other
16 June 2011
 Industry to Consider Discussion Paper on Central Clearing for OTC Derivatives

The release today by the Reserve Bank of Australia on behalf of the Council of Financial Regulators, of a discussion paper on Central Clearing of Over-the-Counter Derivatives in Australia is an important stage in the policy discussion relating to the transition of the Australian market to centralised clearing.

 Other
6 May 2011
 Promoting Competition in the Australian Banking Sector

The Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) agrees with the conclusion of the Senate Economics References Committee in its report Competition within the Australian banking sector that competition rather than regulation will generate improved outcomes for customers.

 Other
4 May 2011
 AFMA Welcomes Licence Grant

The Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) welcomed the beginning of a new era in the Australian Financial Markets with the granting of a market operator licence to Chi-X.

 Other
29 April 2011
 AFMA Welcomes Competition Milestone

The Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) welcomes the release by ASIC today of a package of regulatory materials to provide the framework for the introduction of competition in equity exchange markets.

 Other
8 April 2011 Treasurer's Decision on SGX Acquisition of SGX

The Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) notes that a key reason for the Treasurer's rejection of the Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) proposal to acquire the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is that it would compromise Australia's regulatory sovereignty.

 Other
5 April 2011 ASX-SGX Proposed Merger

AFMA strongly supports an internationally open financial system because it promotes better capital formation, innovation and competition.

 Other
3 March 2011 AFMA welcomes ASIC's approach to market reform

Australian Financial Markets Association Executive Director Duncan Fairweather today welcomed ASIC's measured approach to market reform.

 Regulation
31 January 2011 Competitive Market should be First Priority for ASIC

AFMA has urged ASIC to give priority to measures that will assist the early introduction of competition to equity markets in its submission in response to ASIC's consultation paper (CP 145) on the structure of Australia's equity market and proposed market integrity rules (MIR).

 Regulation
18 January 2011 Korea and Australia Financial Investment Forum to increase investment

The Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) and the Financial Services Council (FSC) of Australia today joined with the Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA) in signing an agreement to establish the Korea-Australia Financial Investment Forum.

 Other
18 January 2011 Greater Tax Certainty for the Instalment Warrants Market

AFMA welcomes the announcement by the Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, yesterday that the Government will extend the proposed income tax look-through treatment to cover instalment warrants and receipts over direct and indirect interests in listed securities, as well as unlisted securities in widely held entities and bundles of these assets. 

Taxation