More than 1000 people have signed an online “e-petition” calling for the Queensland Government to launch an inquiry into the continual rise in public liability premiums.

Queensland Council of Social Service spokesman Jeff Chaverton says he gets “horror stories” every week of high premiums halting festivals, affecting sporting groups and preventing community groups from meeting.

The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission is also concerned that the activities of many voluntary community groups will be unable to continue. Executive Officer Peter Arndt says that despite tort reforms, premiums remain extremely high and many groups cannot afford them. “While this is happening, insurance companies continue to make high profits.”

The e-petition also calls for the reinstatement of a Queensland Government insurance office or support for a national scheme similar to the Accident Compensation Commission in New Zealand.

State Treasurer Terry Mackenroth says the Government has responded to the rising cost of public liability insurance by introducing tort reforms, establishing a broker-based scheme for not-for-profit organisations, removing insurance duty on public liability policies for such organisations and creating a website as a practical guide in applying risk management practices. But he says the days of low premiums are over.

“It must be recognised that premiums will not return to the unsustainably low levels of previous years,” he said.