Queensland’s newly appointed Inspector General of Emergency Management says he will prioritise communication with the insurance industry.

Iain MacKenzie, whose role involves providing assurance to the Government over disaster preparations, considers the industry a “key stakeholder”.

“My main focus is the sharing of information and data,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“If any of us have data that can assist the other in planning, then we should be prepared to share it.”

He cites the recent sharing of flood data between Queensland authorities and the Insurance Council of Australia, which should result in many premiums being reduced.

“We should be doing anything we can do to help Queenslanders.”

Mr MacKenzie, a former Queensland Fire Service deputy commissioner, says even though a “neutral” cyclone season is forecast, there is no room for complacency.

“We can expect cyclones to form and we should be ready and prepared for them.”

One of his priorities is to develop standards and ways of measuring effective outcomes.

“Every time there is an event there is an improvement in how we deal with it, but equally every event highlights an area we can improve.”