March 2026 Update – US/Iran Conflict Escalation
2 March
The events over the last few days have been very unsettling and our thoughts are with those who have family that are impacted. From a financial perspective, please see below an update from our research partner, Evidentia Group - owner of...[Read More]
Increased Security on the FPD Client Portal
13 October
We have taken action to protect your information further on our FPD Client Portal by enlisting Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). This will take effect on 1st November, 2025 What is MFA? Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an extra...[Read More]
Protecting your Investments
5 September
What Happened? You may have seen headlines about the collapse of the Shield Master Fund and the First Guardian Master Fund, which together attracted over $1 billion from thousands of Australians, many of whom invested through superannuation...[Read More]
How much life insurance is enough? The age-old question
12 March
“How much life insurance do I actually need?” It’s one of the most common questions people ask when thinking about protecting their family financially. The honest answer might not be the one people expect, but it’s the most accurate: It...[Read More]
The emotions of aged care: Navigating a complex life transition
12 March
Few life transitions carry as much emotional weight as the move into aged care. For many people, the conversation begins quietly — perhaps after a fall, a medical diagnosis, or the realisation that everyday tasks are becoming harder. While aged...[Read More]
Working Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) can be a golden opportunity: 10 tips for money and life
12 March
Working Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) can be a golden opportunity to fast-track your financial future and build a life with purpose—if managed wisely. Whether you’re doing it for a few years to get ahead or making a long-term career out of it, the...[Read More]
A glass half full approach to wellbeing
12 March
Wellbeing isn’t just about feeling happy all the time—it’s about developing resilience, security, and a positive outlook on life. A “glass half full” approach to wellbeing encourages focusing on progress rather than perfection, recognising...[Read More]
Oliver’s Insights – The impact of the US/Iran war on economies and markets – Q and A
12 March
Key points Uncertainty around the duration of the US/Israel war with Iran has intensified with oil prices spiking to $US119/barrel only to then plunge as President Trump hinted that the war may be close to over. This is in turn driving big...[Read More]
Investment markets and key developments – Weekly market update – 06-03-2026
12 March
News surrounding the war between the US, Israel and Iran dominated global markets this week. Since the coordinated attacks from Israel and the United States on Iranian sites on 28 February, global shares have been largely down (unsurprisingly!),...[Read More]
Super tax changes a ‘down payment’ for greater reform
12 March
Wealthy superannuants will pay more tax on balances over $3 million after the Greens rolled over on demands to beef up the contentious new laws. The government is expected to get the long-promised tax changes passed through parliament by the end of...[Read More]
Iran conflict raises spectre of triple RBA rate hike
12 March
Three of Australia’s four major banks predict the Reserve Bank will hike interest rates for the second month in a row as fears that war in the Middle East will worsen inflation fuelled a drastic turnaround in markets. Westpac, NAB and Commonwealth...[Read More]
Not migrants: research pinpoints housing crisis culprit
12 March
Restricting Australia’s migrant intake is not a silver bullet that will fix the nation’s housing crisis, an influential think tank has warned, challenging an argument often put forward by coalition MPs. Australia’s shortage of homes is not an...[Read More]
Why AI’s beginning doesn’t mean the end of your career
12 March
Natalie MacDonald was six weeks back from maternity leave when a group email landed at 1am saying she’d been made redundant. After seven years at global tech company LinkedIn, the 36-year-old Sydney mum’s role as a senior news editor was one of...[Read More]
‘Significant spikes’: servos to face huge gouging fines
12 March
Service stations deliberately price gouging customers due to the Middle East war will face harsher penalties, as the federal government acknowledges panic buying has led to shortages in regional areas. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said penalties would be...[Read More]
Energy rating report card urged for all Aussie homes
11 March
All Australian homes should receive a score out of 10 for energy efficiency before they can be sold or rented, experts say, as part of an expansion to a national assessment program. The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, which is used to rate...[Read More]
Rice could be key ingredient to cutting steel emissions
11 March
Leftover rice could be the key ingredient to halving carbon emissions from iron and steel production, according to a trial led by Australian researchers. The CSIRO and Indian Institute of Science revealed the findings on Tuesday from tests in which...[Read More]
No ill winds blowing for renewables spending in budget
11 March
The federal climate minister has hit back at speculation there will be budget cuts to clean energy policies, comparing it to stripping funds from health or education. Chris Bowen dismissed reports of cuts to new clean energy funding in the federal...[Read More]
Why an Australian city has been ranked world’s best
11 March
Famed for its cafe-lined laneways, diverse eateries and sprawling gardens, an Australian city has completed its climb through the rankings to place as the best in the world, according to a global survey. Melbourne has claimed the top spot in Time...[Read More]
