Regulatory & Government
Minister ready to negotiate on workers’ comp overhaul
20 October 2025
The NSW government is “open to all reasonable compromises” as it tries to muster support for its workers’ compensation reforms...
New Zealand produces climate adaptation blueprint
20 October 2025
The Insurance Council of New Zealand has welcomed the government’s National Adaptation Framework, under which a new flood map will be delivered by 2027...
Building defect powers target ‘flagrant disregard for rules’
20 October 2025
Reforms allowing the new Victorian Building and Plumbing Commission to order serious defect repairs after a property is occupied will be a “game-changer”, the regulator’s CEO Anna Cronin says...
Directors charged over missing financial reports
20 October 2025
Sheffield Insurance directors Phillip Bird and Daniel Holmes have been charged over alleged failures to lodge the WA brokerage’s financial accounts over a five-year period...
State seeks feedback on battery disposal crackdown
20 October 2025
The NSW government has begun public consultation on proposed regulations for battery handling and disposal...
Second regulatory road map revealed
20 October 2025
The federal government has released the second edition of a regulatory road map that sets out reforms and activities affecting the financial services sector over the next two years...
ASIC demands ‘meaningful improvement’ on claims
13 October 2025
Insurers still need to improve claims handling, and serious misconduct may lead to enforcement action, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission warns...
Insurers stepping up cybersecurity: APRA
13 October 2025
The prudential regulator says the insurers, banks and superannuation funds it oversees have made progress guarding against cyberattacks...
Cyclone pool aced Alfred test, corporation says
13 October 2025
Cyclone Alfred was a “pivotal” test for the government-backed reinsurance pool, which responded effectively, the program’s administrator says in its annual report...
Regulator flags flaws in offshore outsourcing
13 October 2025
The corporate watchdog has raised alarms over the offshore outsourcing practices of financial services advice licensees after a review found weaknesses that could expose consumers to harm...
Competition law expert returns to ACCC
13 October 2025
The competition watchdog has appointed Luke Woodward to the commissioner vacancy left by Liza Carver, who departed in May...
State to stop construction in new ‘very high-risk' flood zones
13 October 2025
Victoria will introduce new building controls and a flood hazard rating system identifying “very high-risk” areas where development must be avoided...
Builder penalised over false insurance certificate
13 October 2025
A contractor has been fined $5000 after applying for a building permit using a home indemnity insurance certificate issued for a different property...
icare probes possible workers’ comp underpayments
06 October 2025
NSW state insurer icare has identified about 9400 workers’ compensation claims that may have been underpaid because inflation adjustments were not included...
Worker safety reforms target psychosocial hazards
06 October 2025
Victoria’s new workplace mental health laws will start on December 1 as the state workers’ compensation scheme battles a rise in psychological injury claims...
Jailed broker spent clients’ cash on home, holidays
06 October 2025
New Zealand insurance broker Murray McClune has been jailed for stealing $NZ1.7 million ($1.5 million) from two elderly couples, according to the Financial Markets Authority...
NZ firms told to fix ‘defensive’ complaints systems
06 October 2025
The Financial Markets Authority has told New Zealand companies to put more resources into helping customers lodge complaints...
Industry hails NSW planning bill’s resilience focus
29 September 2025
NSW planning reforms that add resilience as a key objective have been welcomed by the Insurance Council of Australia...
ASIC finalises breach, complaints dashboard plans
29 September 2025
The corporate regulator will proceed with plans to publish a dashboard of company-level internal dispute resolution data, which will be “modified” to address issues raised by stakeholders...
Latest strata management shake-up looms
29 September 2025
Strata managers in NSW will have new duties around best interests and due diligence when the next phase of state reforms takes effect on October 27...