AGENDA DAY 2
Wealth Symposium
2027 | QLD
08:00
WELCOME
08:30
WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A RELATIVE
What happens to the client relationship when the client is no longer there? A generation of wealth is changing hands and each client has their own plans. Do you have a plan to manage this risk?
This session explores estate planning and managing the client life cycle as a core part of advice. Our speakers will cover the structures and the conversations that matter most, including philanthropy, family governance and how assets are passed from one generation to the next. We examine how the adviser, lawyer and accountant can work as one team.
09:25
NET POSITIVE | LONG LEASES AND THE REPRICING OF PROPERTY
Who is still buying commercial property after years of higher rates? Valuations have reset, rates are the highest they have been in nearly two decades, capital is scarce, and companies are rethinking whether they need to own the buildings they occupy.
This session pairs two perspectives on real estate income – Australian direct property and the triple net lease. Our speakers cover how each generates returns, where the risks sit and how leases respond to inflation.
10:30
MORNING TEA
11:00
TOLL STORIES | TWO ROUTES OUT OF A CROWDED INDEX
Where do you go when the global index has become a bet on a handful of companies? Leaving a concentrated home market for a concentrated offshore one solves less than it appears and the search for something different is on.
This session pairs two routes out, one through listed infrastructure and the other builds global portfolios systematically to isolate the risks worth taking. We examine what each adds to the growth allocation and how they behave when inflation and rates will not sit still.
SPEAKER:
Subash Pillai, Investment Solutions, Franklin Templeton
SPEAKERS
WEALTH SYMPOSIUM 2027 | QLD DAY 2
Subash Pillai
Investment Solutions
Franklin Templeton
Subash Pillai leads Franklin Templeton’s Solutions Business in APAC and has been with the firm since 2018.
Subash has responsibility for developing multi-asset, multi-manager, and objectives-based investment portfolios for clients across the region. Subash engages with official institutions, pension managers, banks, and intermediary clients to develop customized solutions across traditional and alternative investments to meet specific client objectives, supported by our Solutions Portfolio Managers and investment research team across the region. Working with Portfolio Management and Investment research teams worldwide, Subash oversees the investment decision making process within APAC and serves as lead portfolio manager for several client accounts and Franklin Templeton Funds. He is a member of the Investment Strategy and Research Committee and the Policy Portfolio Positioning Group.
Prior to joining Franklin Templeton in 2018, Subash worked for 18 years at Goldman Sachs. He was responsible for Goldman Sachs Asset Management, fixed income and multi-asset business in Australia, as well as the global liquidity business across APAC. He led macroeconomic analysis for Australia and New Zealand, informing rates and currency risk-taking activities, and worked extensively with institutional, government, corporate and intermediary clients across APAC.
Subash holds bachelor degrees in commerce (hons) and arts from Monash University, and an MBA from the Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne.
12:00
HIKE, HOLD OR FOLD | READING THE RBA'S NEXT HAND
How do you set a portfolio when the central bank tries to balance an unruly budget, unemployment and inflation? The cash rate sits at its highest since 2008, inflation is still outside the band and the labour market is starting to give. This session tackles domestic rates and inflation head on, days after the first RBA decision of the year. Our speaker covers where the pressure in prices is coming from, how restrictive policy now is, and what would have to change for the next move to surprise.
SPEAKER:
STEPHEN HALMARICK, Principal and Chief Economist, Economics Unchained
SPEAKERS
WEALTH SYMPOSIUM 2027 | QLD DAY 2
STEPHEN HALMARICK
Principal and Chief Economist
Economics Unchained
Stephen has over 40 years’ experience as a bank and financial markets economist in Australia and is widely regarded as one of the best economic communicators in the country. He served as Chief Economist and Head of Global Economic & Markets Research at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) from January 2018 to January 2025.
Throughout his career, Stephen has been recognized for his skill in presenting economic and market insights to all levels of audiences in Australia and globally, including Boards, C-suite, large client events, 1-1 client meetings, hedge funds, institutional investors, central banks and retail customers.
Stephen pioneered the use of internally generated data at CommBank, leading to the development of the Household Spending Insights (HSI) research product. He also initiated the Sustainable Economics research strategy at CommBank and in mid-2025 completed the University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership (CISL) ‘Towards Net Zero’ course.
Stephen was also a Member-elected director on the Commonwealth Bank Group Superannuation Board (2016-2024) and was Chair of the Australian Business Economists (ABE) for 9 years (2008-2017).
In May 2025 Stephen established his own economics consulting business, Economics Unchained, providing economic presentation, consulting, advisory and research services.
In August 2025 Stephen was appointed as a Member (non-director) on the Investment Committee of UniSuper, one of Australia’s largest and most successful superannuation providers.
In February 2026 Stephen was appointed Senior Australian Analyst for the Observatory Group – an independent economics and geopolitical consulting firm based in Washington DC. Stephen is responsible for providing insights on the Australian economy, policy and markets to local and international clients of Observatory and growing the business in Australia.
Stephen’s previous roles include Chief Economist for Colonial First State Global Asset Management (2009-2017), Co-Head of Economic & Market Analysis for Citi Australia/NZ (2001-2009) and senior economic and financial market strategy roles at County NatWest/NatWest Markets/Salomon Smith Barney/Citibank (1994-2009), Nomura Research Institute (1993), DBSM/SBC Dominquez Barry (1989-1993) and Westpac (1986-1989).
Stephen holds a Bachelor of Economics from Macquarie University, a graduate diploma from the Securities Institute of Australia (SIA), he is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and is accredited by the Australian Financial Markets Assoc (AFMA). He is a Life Member of the ABE.
Stephen resides in Sydney with his wife and has a blended family of six adult children. He enjoys traveling, snow skiing, water skiing, watching sport (rugby union and cricket), attending live music events, reading, politics, international affairs, and spending time with family and friends.