Subscribers of News Corporation's Eureka Report will be able to access superannuation planning services from next month as negotiations with platform provider OneVue continue.
OneVue announced it expected to "execute binding agreements immediately", that would see its subsidiaries provide Eureka Report subscribers with superannuation plans and self-managed super fund (SMSF) services.
The move comes nine months after it emerged that the Eureka Report, founded by ABC business commentator and frequent critic of the financial planning industry, Alan Kohler, had obtained an Australian Financial Services Licence, and reports emerged that Kohler had become a qualified securities adviser.
In an announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange yesterday, OneVue stressed that the agreement to provide Eureka Report subscribers with access to its digital direct offering was "subject to final negotiations".
However, the company said, "Subject to the execution of agreements, user testing of the service is anticipated to commence next month and Eureka Report will determine a public launch date".
"The negotiations have been in relation to OneVue's subsidiaries providing Eureka's subscribers with:
Digital direct distribution;
Superannuation and pensions plans; and
SMSF services.
"The agreement is consistent with OneVue's growth strategy," the company said.
The future of superannuation policy remains uncertain, with further reforms potentially on the horizon as the Albanese government seeks to curb the use of superannuation as a bequest vehicle.
Superannuation funds will have two options for charging fees for the advice provided by the new class of adviser.
The proposed reforms have been described as a key step towards delivering better products and retirement experiences for members, with many noting financial advice remains the “urgent missing piece” of the puzzle.
APRA’s latest data has revealed that superannuation funds spent $1.3 billion on advice fees, with the vast majority sent to external financial advisers.