Australian corporates fail test of auditor independence
20 April 2009
Many Australian listed companies are neglecting basic governance standards by failing to establish independent internal audit standards, a new survey has found...
Regulatory & Government
Ombudsman submissions close today
20 April 2009
Submissions on the Financial Ombudsman Service proposed new terms of reference close today...
Federal funds for disaster mitigation
20 April 2009
Australian states and territories will receive $18.6 million in natural disaster mitigation funding from the Federal Government this year...
Insurance director pleads guilty to fraud
06 April 2009
Victorian director Timothy John McKenzie is likely to go to jail this week after pleading guilty to five charges of deception and theft of insurance payments...
Bushfire hearing applications close on April 9
06 April 2009
People interested in appearing before the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission must lodge an application by Thursday...
Investment downturn bites into December life profits
06 April 2009
Australian life insurers’ stories of increasing sales in a looming recession may be true, but nothing will hide the fact that the collapse of investment markets last year hurt them badly...
APRA figures reveal stabilising liability lines
30 March 2009
APRA has released the latest annual report on policies and claims for public and product liability from the National Claims and Policies Database...
US climate change decision earns plaudits
30 March 2009
Expanded US standards for reporting climate change risks are being applauded in Australia...
Big stamp duty refund depends on appeal outcome
30 March 2009
Insurance buyers seeking a big stamp duty refund on policies placed with foreign insurers must await a court appeal decision before their applications can proceed...
APRA figures show claims expense bite
23 March 2009
Higher claims expenses were the major reason Australia’s general insurers made a $1.1 billion underwriting loss last calendar year, according to a new report...
Golden handshakes come under the microscope
23 March 2009
Insurance executives are among those who will have their termination benefits capped to be equivalent to their annual base salary under new company legislation announced...
New building standards to improve resilience to bushfire
16 March 2009
The Victorian Government has introduced tough new building standards to help save lives and property in the wake of the devastating Black Saturday bushfires...
Bushfire royal commission to meet behind closed doors
16 March 2009
The Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission will host a series of community meetings behind closed doors – a decision criticised by the state’s opposition and media...
ASIC takes hard line on advisers
16 March 2009
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission will take a “deeper role” in instilling investment principles in financial advisers...
Actuaries outline financial reform proposals
16 March 2009
The appointment of a national chief risk supervisor is among actuaries’ proposals for reform in the financial services industry...
Thumbs up for Tasmania public liability trial
16 March 2009
State governments are being encouraged to follow Tasmania’s lead and trial public liability cover for all groups using public education facilities...
Worksafe Victoria posts $1.4 billion loss
16 March 2009
WorkSafe Victoria claims it’s continuing to hit its key targets despite posting a $1.42 billion loss in the second half of last year...
ASIC awaits report on Storm
16 March 2009
A report to creditors later today could decide whether or not collapsed financial advice group Storm Financial is put into liquidation...
Spiralling fire services levy halted – for now
09 March 2009
NSW fire services levies remain generally unchanged after the latest review, with some insurance-buyers likely to get a marginal decrease in charges...
Financial crisis hot on regulator’s lips
09 March 2009
Australia’s financial services industry will not be immune from the effects of the global financial crisis, according to speakers at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission summer school...