The Countervailing Power: Review of the coordination and funding for financial counselling services across Australia

In the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (the Royal Commission), Commissioner Hayne noted that the "legal assistance sector and financial counselling services . . . like financial services, are a necessity to the community. They add strength to customers who are otherwise disadvantaged in disputes with financial service entities". In other words financial counsellors act as a countervailing power.