The federal inquiry into insurers’ responses to the 2022 floods is this week travelling to regions hit hard by the catastrophes, holding hearings in Caboolture and Logan in Queensland and Lismore in northern NSW.

Local governments, legal services and community and business organisations are scheduled to appear, and statements will be made by locals affected by the flooding. 

The parliamentary committee leading the probe has sought expressions of interest from residents to give three- to four-minute public statements about their experiences with insurers. Priority will be given on the day to those who have registered. 

“I encourage anyone interested to contact us as soon as possible about making a statement, but we can also sign people up on the day – subject to available time,” Committee Chairman Daniel Mulino said today. 

The inquiry has already heard from insurers, reinsurers, regulators, consumer groups and financial counsellors during a series of sessions in Canberra. 

“Now we want to hear first-hand from the locals in some of the worst-hit regions,” Dr Mulino said. 

Organisations due to appear in Caboolture tomorrow include Moreton Bay City Council, Sunshine Coast Council, Caxton Legal Centre, Pine Rivers Community Legal Service and Encircle Community Services. A preliminary program for Logan on Wednesday includes Community Plus, Goodna Neighbourhood House, and the Logan, Gold Coast and Ipswich city councils. 

Lismore details are also subject to confirmation, but Lismore City, Richmond Valley, Byron Shire and Clarence Valley councils are scheduled to start Thursday’s hearing.

Other sessions will hear from Business NSW Northern Rivers, Summerland Bank, the Living School, Business Lismore, Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce, Hotel Metropol, Nickel Energy, Resilient Lismore, Social Futures, Northern Rivers Flood Action Group, Woodburn Business and Community Chamber, Woodburn IGA and the Community Leaders Forum – Northern Rivers. 

Submissions to the inquiry, and responses to an online survey on people’s experiences, can be provided until July 31. The committee is due to report by September 30.