Canberra seeks feedback before Consumer Data Right system shake-up
19 August 2024
The federal government wants to “reset” the Consumer Data Right regime and is consulting on proposed changes to its consent and operational rules...
Regulatory & Government
Industry urges focus on defects as NSW reviews builders’ cover
19 August 2024
Issues around workmanship and building quality need to be addressed as the NSW government reviews its loss-making Home Building Compensation Fund, the Insurance Council of Australia says...
Melbourne council parks scooter scheme amid safety concerns
19 August 2024
Hire e-scooters will be banned from Melbourne's CBD after the City of Melbourne moved to cancel its contracts with operators Lime and Neuron...
Watchdog warns on cyber control gaps
19 August 2024
The prudential regulator has urged insurers to check for gaps in their cyber controls amid an “evolving and escalating” threat landscape...
Lawyers urge state to end ‘unfair’ advertising ban
12 August 2024
Queensland should remove advertising restrictions on personal injury law services and ensure gig workers are included in the workers’ compensation scheme, the legal profession says...
Building authority employees charged in corruption probe
12 August 2024
Two Victorian Building Authority employees have been charged with criminal offences relating to the assessment of builder registrations in exchange for a financial benefit...
WA towing reforms target ‘criminal elements’
12 August 2024
The WA government says new vehicle towing regulations aim to crack down on “unscrupulous practices” and ensure fairer conditions for drivers and reputable towing companies...
NZ regulators detail ‘vision’ for industry
12 August 2024
New Zealand’s Council of Financial Regulators says it will work to deliver a “forward-looking, fair, stable, competitive and efficient” vision for the insurance industry...
Albanese names new emergency management, cybersecurity ministers
05 August 2024
NSW senator Jenny McAllister is the new federal Emergency Management Minster, taking over from Murray Watt...
icare appoints interim CEO
05 August 2024
NSW state insurer icare has appointed CFO Stuart Farquharson as interim CEO after former chief Richard Harding left earlier than previously announced and as a consultation on job cuts progresses...
'Strong example': ASIC’s first greenwashing case ends in $11m penalty
05 August 2024
The Federal Court has ordered Mercer Superannuation to pay an $11.3 million penalty for greenwashing, in a case the Australian Securities and Investments Commission says is a landmark for the financial services industry...
WorkSafe warns against engineered stone use after Victorian crackdown
05 August 2024
WorkSafe will “closely monitor” Victorian manufacturers after issuing more than 25 compliance notices and seizing more than 65 engineered stone samples following the product’s ban last month...
Victorian flood probe demands national response
05 August 2024
A Victorian government flood inquiry has flagged an "urgent need for enhanced national co-ordination and reform in disaster insurance practices"...
SIRA names former NRMA president Whitlam as chair
29 July 2024
Nicholas Whitlam has been appointed chair of NSW’s State Insurance Regulatory Authority, replacing Trevor Matthews, who has held the role since 2015...
FNQ tourism businesses given $10 million resilience lift
29 July 2024
A $10 million federal and state grants package will help tourism operators in Far North Queensland prepare for future catastrophes as they continue recovering from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper...
Consultants, building surveyors blamed for Victorian cladding crisis
29 July 2024
“Substandard” documentation and “widespread misapplication” of regulations gave rise to the use of non-compliant cladding materials in apartment blocks in Victoria, a new report has found...
Public service veteran to head Queensland Reconstruction Board
29 July 2024
The Queensland Reconstruction Board has appointed Katarina Carroll as chairperson and made two other additions to its leadership team...
APRA industry performance reports to resume
22 July 2024
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s quarterly industry performance reports will return next month in an “enhanced” format including data for the September and December quarters of last year and the first three months of this one...
DDO breach rulings against non-insurers have relevance for industry
22 July 2024
Two Federal Court decisions handed down this month over design and distribution obligations (DDO) breaches by non-bank lender Firstmac and American Express have relevance for the insurance industry, McCabes principal Mathew Kaley says...
Victoria strengthens e-scooter laws
22 July 2024
The Victorian government will introduce new e-scooter regulations in October when the hire transport operations become permanent following a two-year trial...