M&A reforms to introduce targeted checks
14 October 2024
The federal government has introduced a mergers reform bill that includes a mandatory notification system and a focus on serial acquisitions...
Regulatory & Government
NZ regulator files action over ASB Bank discount issues
14 October 2024
New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority has filed High Court proceedings against ASB Bank for alleged insurance product multipolicy discount failures...
Crawford offers stone ban tips to avoid ‘skyrocketing’ claims
14 October 2024
Crawford & Company has urged insurers to be aware of nuances in new engineered stone regulations, to avoid unnecessary costs...
State’s deal with embattled builder clears way for home claims
14 October 2024
The WA government has reached an agreement with Nicheliving that provides a “pathway” for the builder’s customers to access home indemnity insurance for their unfinished properties...
Collaboration key on premiums, QBE tells Senate probe
07 October 2024
QBE executives championed the Hazards Insurance Partnership as key to limiting price increases at last week’s session of the Senate inquiry into the impact of climate risk on premiums...
Cyclone pool to introduce strata mitigation discounts
07 October 2024
Cyclone pool premium pricing will include strata mitigation discounts from next April following feedback obtained during a consultation...
Australia backs global ransomware guidance as sanctions hit Evil Corp trio
07 October 2024
Australia and 38 countries including the US and Britain have agreed new guidance to support organisations hit by ransomware attacks and strengthen cyber resilience...
ICNZ backs action to ‘stop building in dumb places’
07 October 2024
The Insurance Council of New Zealand says a new national direction to councils should stipulate that they avoid building in locations at high risk of natural hazards...
icare structural changes start next week
30 September 2024
Proposed structural changes at icare are expected to get underway on October 8, a spokesperson for the NSW insurer tells insuranceNEWS.com.au...
Opposition criticises pace of advice reforms
30 September 2024
Shadow Minister for Financial Services Luke Howarth has hit out at the Albanese government over its advice reform agenda...
NSW prepares ahead of potentially active bushfire season
30 September 2024
NSW residents have been urged to reduce their property’s fire risk as the state prepares for its bushfire season...
WA delivers revised bushfire policy
30 September 2024
The WA government has released a revised bushfire policy that will remove more than 4500 urban properties from a list of bushfire-prone areas...
NSW flags further strata crackdown
23 September 2024
The NSW government says there is “more to come” on strata reforms after last week passing legislation to improve disclosure and toughen penalties...
Minister limits NZ fire levy rise
23 September 2024
Fire and Emergency New Zealand will raise its insurance levy rate by 2.2% from July 2026, instead of 5.2% as proposed in a public consultation...
Hollard, reinsurers join hazards partnership
23 September 2024
Hollard and reinsurers Swiss Re and Munich Re have joined the Hazards Insurance Partnership of government and industry organisations...
Import ban steps up engineered stone crackdown
23 September 2024
The federal government will ban the importation of engineered stone products from next year...
Watchdog examines ‘human impact’ in building cover probe
16 September 2024
The Victorian Ombudsman says it will examine systemic issues as part of an investigation into the state insurer’s handling of domestic building insurance claims...
ASIC warns industry on distribution failings
16 September 2024
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission says insurance and other financial product issuers need to improve their distribution practices or risk breaching compliance duties...
Privacy reforms introduced in parliament
16 September 2024
Draft privacy laws were tabled in federal parliament last week to implement the first tranche of reforms recommended by the Attorney-General’s Department...
More funding for Queensland flood program
16 September 2024
The Queensland and federal governments have announced an $18 million increase to the state’s Flood Risk Management Program via the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements...