The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) is temporarily pausing registrations for next month’s gatherings in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney due to the unfolding COVID-19 situation across Australia.

Lockdowns and restrictions on gatherings are currently in force in large parts of NSW, Queensland, Perth and the NT.

NIBA had scheduled a lunch at Crown Perth on Friday next week.

That was to be followed in Brisbane on Wednesday July 14 by a breakfast with NIBA CEO Dallas Booth, who was to talk on the future of broking, and the UAC Queensland Underwriting Expo and lunch at the Royal International Convention Centre, which NIBA’s website describes as “the biggest event of the year in the Brisbane insurance calendar”.

A NIBA gala lunch at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf in Sydney is scheduled for Friday July 16.

The winners of the 2021 Broker of the Year and Young Professional Broker of the Year awards for each region were to be announced at the lunches.

NIBA says it is constantly assessing the situation on a case-by-case basis for all events.

“We are committed to taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our members, supporters and stakeholders, and to ensure the overall viability of the events,” Mr Booth said today.

NIBA is taking account of all relevant guidelines in its decision making, including government health directions and event restrictions, and will release more information on the gala lunches as soon as things become clearer.

“We will contact sponsors, exhibitors and registrants as a priority as the information becomes available. Please bear with us over the next couple of days,” Mr Booth said.