The Australian Insurance Law Association has given former president Sue Vidler this year's life membership award, with Andrew Sharpe taking the insurance law prize. 

The 2026 AILA Young Professionals Public Speaking Competition was won by Rural Affinity underwriter Tanya Ponggun for her presentation Underwriting is just like Dating.  

Hunt & Hunt Lawyers clerk Zara Jays won second place with Forever Chemicals, Forever Liability: Why PFAS May Be Australia’s Next Asbestos Crisis for Insurers, and MinterEllison's Will Hodgman third with When the Machine Says No: The Litigation Risk of AI-Driven Claims Decisions. 

President Melanie Quixley presented the honours.  

"All three finalists should be incredibly proud. After progressing through a competitive semi-final, Tanya, Zara and Will delivered three very different presentations and demonstrated the depth of emerging talent within Australia’s insurance industry," AILA said. 

Ms Vidler is an Australian Financial Complaints Authority insurance ombudsman and previously spent almost 20 years at Assetinsure. She has also worked at Rural Affinity, QBE and NRMA Insurance. 

“Sue has given so much to AILA over the years, from her time as national president to championing change, bringing people together and helping shape the association into what it is today,” AILA said. 

Mr Sharpe spent 22 years at DLA Piper and has since worked at Simpatico Resolutions, Meridian Lawyers and McCabes Lawyers. 

He says the award “means a lot to me because of the many people who have been part of my AILA journey as mentors, collaborators and colleagues”. 

AILA says Mr Sharpe “has made an incredible contribution to both AILA and the wider insurance community, from his work in insurance law reform to the countless hours he’s spent educating and supporting others in the industry”.