ASIC alleges that between March 2019 and December 2020, Diversa, a superannuation trustee, or its representatives were aware that ASIC was investigating a business run by financial adviser Mr Nizi Bhandari for contraventions of the law.
Despite its knowledge of these matters, it did not take adequate action and continued to allow Mr Bhandari to put clients into Diversa’s superannuation product; and continued to allow the payment of fees from the superannuation fund to Mr Bhandari.
Diversa, which operates as a professional superannuation trustee, relies on “promoters” or third parties to run many of the day-to-day operations of its fund.
“ASIC alleges that the OneVue company group acted on behalf of Diversa and facilitated Mr Bhandari putting clients into Diversa products via Mr Bhandari’s company, The Australian Dealer Group Pty Ltd,” ASIC said.
“ASIC also alleges that Diversa did not act efficiently, honestly and fairly because it failed to provide proper oversight of the activities of OneVue nor take appropriate action regarding the activities of The Australian Dealer Group and Mr Bhandari involving its superannuation fund.”
This is the second case taken by ASIC against a professional trustee for conduct by outsourced service providers following enforcement action against Tidswell.
ASIC is seeking declarations and pecuniary penalty orders from the Federal Court.
The date for the first case management hearing is yet to be scheduled by the court.
Mr Bhandari has been permanently banned by ASIC from providing financial services and engaging in credit activities, controlling a financial services or credit business, or performing any function in relation to carrying on a financial services or credit business.
As conduct regulator for the superannuation industry, ASIC reminded it is committed to ensuring superannuation trustees deliver on their commitments to members and treat them fairly. ASIC aims to deter any future misconduct and prevent consumer harm by taking appropriate action against wrongdoing.
“Poor trustee oversight practices could enable inappropriate behaviour by service providers. Trustees need to implement appropriate risk management practices to ensure members are not adversely impacted,” ASIC explained.
“In making payments out of a superannuation fund, trustees are expected to have processes in place to ensure the expenditure is appropriate. ASIC and APRA have previously provided guidance for trustees on appropriate oversight practices in relation to advice fee payments from member accounts.”
