Indecision and maybe a bit of apathy are being blamed for the Federal Government’s foot-dragging over long-term solutions to the public liability crisis. Assistant Treasurer Helen Coonan took a submission to Federal Cabinet in Canberra yesterday, and some form of announcement on an expert panel is expected before the end of the week.  

As we reported recently, the panel is expected to be made up of three eminent Australians – probably retired judges – who will review negligence law and examine ways to cut the exposure of groups as diverse as doctors and horse-riding operators.

There is still no permanent solution to the politically sensitive medical indemnity crisis, with Channel Nine’s Sunday program revealing that failed mutual insurer United Medical Protection may have inflated its 37,000 membership by counting doctors who are retired, resigned, disbarred or even dead. That will make things tougher, because the Government’s planned levy on doctors would have to be shared around a much smaller pool of members.

And business is beginning to worry about the lack of action on terrorism cover, with the Government seemingly no closer to introducing legislation to shoulder the burden itself, and the June 30 deadline – when most policies will cease covering terrorism – approaching rapidly. The lack of cover is said to be concerning investors and banks examining their exposure to major infrastructure and construction projects.

Stand by for a last-minute flurry of urgent legislation.