Motorcycling Australia (MA) says efforts are underway to improve risk control measures to address its insurer’s concerns over recent incidents and injuries. 

The governing body for the sport managed to renew its Public Liability and Personal Injury insurance policies last month after “intense negotiations” involving all State Controlling Bodies (SCBs) and the insurer. 

However, the insurer has warned renewal next year is not a certainty, depending on how MA and stakeholders progress in efforts to improve risk mitigation measures. 

The insurer made it clear in the renewal talks that although there was evidence of changes being made by some SCBs to address the high-risk aspects of event management, it was also clear the focus required to deliver a nationally consistent risk profile was not progressing as required. 

“Our insurer has placed MA on notice that unless it sees ongoing efforts to ensure that all events nationally are managed on a consistent basis and in a manner that minimises risks to a level that our insurer deems acceptable, it may not be prepared to renew our cover next year,” the MA board said. 

“To this end, MA has partnered with the Australian Sports Commission to work with SCBs in developing more effective and efficient ways to manage our sport. More information on this initiative will be forthcoming. 

MA says over the past 12 months, a number of incidents and injuries have occurred around Australia involving both participants and spectators, and some of these resulted in serious injury. 

“Some complacency in the conduct, control and administration of events has caused concern and the insurers were seeking evidence of a stronger focus on risk control at state level,” the governing body said. 

“The responsibility for ensuring that we take all necessary steps to minimise the risks associated with running events lies with us all. This extends to all participants, officials, promoters, clubs, SCBs and MA.” 

MA’s national insurance program comprises of public liability, personal accident and associations liability.