Spiralling fire services levy halted – for now
09 March 2009
NSW fire services levies remain generally unchanged after the latest review, with some insurance-buyers likely to get a marginal decrease in charges...
Regulatory & Government
Financial crisis hot on regulator’s lips
09 March 2009
Australia’s financial services industry will not be immune from the effects of the global financial crisis, according to speakers at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission summer school...
Government looks to insurers for midwife PI cover
09 March 2009
A Federal Government maternity report has raised the debate of whether insurers should be offering professional indemnity insurance to midwives...
Storm sparks parliamentary inquiry
02 March 2009
The Federal Government has launched a parliamentary inquiry into recent corporate collapses in Australia after the collapse of Storm Financial in January ruined thousands of investors...
New regulatory powers for APRA
02 March 2009
The Federal Government has announced new measures to regulate the non-operating holding companies of life insurers – a move which will give courts more power to issue injunctions on prudential matters...
Emergency phone warning systems a step closer
02 March 2009
The Federal Government has announced plans to legislate for a national telephone-based emergency warning system used to help prevent losses from natural disasters...
Controversy over SA WorkCover premiums
02 March 2009
SA Greens MLC Mark Parnell says the State Government is planning to cut employer WorkCover premiums in July – a move he says amounts to “economic vandalism”...
Leave financial services alone: Pearce
23 February 2009
New financial services sector regulation borne out of the global financial crisis could do more harm than good, according to Federal Opposition financial services spokesman Chris Pearce...
National OHS system faces uphill battle: lawyer
23 February 2009
A leading occupational health and safety lawyer says a national streamlined OHS system is still some way off, despite publication of a final report...
Rental car insurance faces reform under new consumer laws
23 February 2009
Rental car insurance policies face reform under new consumer legislation designed to protect consumers...
Government leans on insurers
16 February 2009
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has pledged to monitor insurance companies’ performance in the wake of the Victorian bushfires...
Federal terrorism exposure cut by $2.3 billion retrocession deal
16 February 2009
The Federal Government has scored a $2.3 billion retrocession package for its terrorism insurance scheme that is expected to help attract private reinsurers back to the Australian market...
Government to open super coffers to bushfire victims
16 February 2009
People affected by the Victorian bushfires may be allowed early access to their superannuation funds and attached life insurance benefits, the Federal Government has announced...
APRA stats show industry bearing up well
09 February 2009
Latest figures from APRA show continued insurer profitability despite tough economic times...
APRA to minimise role this year
09 February 2009
The insurance industry is in good shape to withstand the financial crisis, so the prudential regulator says it’s loosening the reins...
Coalition joins attack on state insurance taxes
09 February 2009
The Federal Opposition believes keeping the insurance industry under state and federal administration will lead to increased compliance costs and says state taxes must go...
ASIC bans two over dodgy insurance dealings
09 February 2009
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has imposed bans on two Sydney men for unauthorised insurance broking...
Corporations Act amended to include banned Kiwis
09 February 2009
Company directors banned from managing companies in NZ will also be disqualified in Australia under an amendment to the Corporations Act...
Dollar-for-dollar insurance taxes almost a reality in Victoria
02 February 2009
Rural commercial insurance-buyers in Victoria are being forced to pay nearly $1 in tax for every $1 in premium after another hike in the state’s fire services levy...
APRA’s thinking on niche insurers questioned
02 February 2009
Senior brokers have questioned the rationale behind the licensing of niche insurers in the Australian market, with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) saying...