The fallout from the Royal Commission report in Australia continues and it's been fascinating to watch what's happening across the Tasman, particularly from groups representing advisers. 

In the home loan space the MFAA has been exceptional at rallying its troops, fronting media and campaigning against the recommendations presented by Hayne.

It's quite the opposite in New Zealand. In the wake of both the Royal Commission and the FMA/RBNZ report into conduct around life insurance, it's hard to find a voice standing up for advisers.

The one voice which made the most noise was, not unsurprisingly, the Financial Services Council. However, its message was more around fronting for the majority of its members - the life insurance companies.

There haven't been a lot of voices fronting for advisers - the ones who have been borne the brunt of the criticism. The have worn it not because of their actions, but largely because of the way the product providers have chosen to remunerate them.

This week I head some quite moving stories.  One was about life companies getting phone calls of "absolute despair" from advisers who have been feeling punished.

Yet they are out there doing their jobs. One had seen six terminally ill clients in the past month.

"This is what I do because my promise is lifelong," the adviser said.

The message to all advisers is simple. Don’t feel guilty as long as what you have done has the client at the centre of everything.

There is no reason to sit there and be ashamed of what you having been doing. 

As an group of advisers everyone needs to stand together, show a united front and we all need to make sure we are articulating the good work of advisers.

This is where industry bodies need to step and and be seen to be leaders, supporting the good work of their members.

It's happening in Australia and needs to start happening here.....sooner rather than later.