Cheers dayz, yes you need to have your own licence to be 'independent', but a warning to the wise out there...just because someone has their own licence doesn't mean they will provide independent advice.
I feel the 'truly independent' Planner will advise whether to buy a product and either won't get involved in the transaction or will get involved and not make anything out of the transaction via rebates etc, other than the fee for advice.
Anyway, that's my view and a bit utopian and not necessarily the best way either.