WA towing reforms target ‘criminal elements’
12 August 2024
The WA government says new vehicle towing regulations aim to crack down on “unscrupulous practices” and ensure fairer conditions for drivers and reputable towing companies...
Regulatory & Government
NZ regulators detail ‘vision’ for industry
12 August 2024
New Zealand’s Council of Financial Regulators says it will work to deliver a “forward-looking, fair, stable, competitive and efficient” vision for the insurance industry...
Albanese names new emergency management, cybersecurity ministers
05 August 2024
NSW senator Jenny McAllister is the new federal Emergency Management Minster, taking over from Murray Watt...
icare appoints interim CEO
05 August 2024
NSW state insurer icare has appointed CFO Stuart Farquharson as interim CEO after former chief Richard Harding left earlier than previously announced and as a consultation on job cuts progresses...
'Strong example': ASIC’s first greenwashing case ends in $11m penalty
05 August 2024
The Federal Court has ordered Mercer Superannuation to pay an $11.3 million penalty for greenwashing, in a case the Australian Securities and Investments Commission says is a landmark for the financial services industry...
WorkSafe warns against engineered stone use after Victorian crackdown
05 August 2024
WorkSafe will “closely monitor” Victorian manufacturers after issuing more than 25 compliance notices and seizing more than 65 engineered stone samples following the product’s ban last month...
Victorian flood probe demands national response
05 August 2024
A Victorian government flood inquiry has flagged an "urgent need for enhanced national co-ordination and reform in disaster insurance practices"...
SIRA names former NRMA president Whitlam as chair
29 July 2024
Nicholas Whitlam has been appointed chair of NSW’s State Insurance Regulatory Authority, replacing Trevor Matthews, who has held the role since 2015...
FNQ tourism businesses given $10 million resilience lift
29 July 2024
A $10 million federal and state grants package will help tourism operators in Far North Queensland prepare for future catastrophes as they continue recovering from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper...
Consultants, building surveyors blamed for Victorian cladding crisis
29 July 2024
“Substandard” documentation and “widespread misapplication” of regulations gave rise to the use of non-compliant cladding materials in apartment blocks in Victoria, a new report has found...
Public service veteran to head Queensland Reconstruction Board
29 July 2024
The Queensland Reconstruction Board has appointed Katarina Carroll as chairperson and made two other additions to its leadership team...
APRA industry performance reports to resume
22 July 2024
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s quarterly industry performance reports will return next month in an “enhanced” format including data for the September and December quarters of last year and the first three months of this one...
DDO breach rulings against non-insurers have relevance for industry
22 July 2024
Two Federal Court decisions handed down this month over design and distribution obligations (DDO) breaches by non-bank lender Firstmac and American Express have relevance for the insurance industry, McCabes principal Mathew Kaley says...
Victoria strengthens e-scooter laws
22 July 2024
The Victorian government will introduce new e-scooter regulations in October when the hire transport operations become permanent following a two-year trial...
AFCA boosts parental leave program
22 July 2024
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority has expanded its parental leave program for employees to 20 weeks under changes to its workplace policies...
Regulator tweaks prudential framework
22 July 2024
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has written to insurers saying it is finalising several minor updates to its prudential framework...
ARPC recruits risk chief
22 July 2024
The Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation has appointed Karin Rathbone as chief risk officer...
Commission consent start date finalised after royal assent
15 July 2024
New laws requiring general insurance brokers to obtain commission consent from retail clients receiving or likely to receive personal advice will start on July 10 next year...
NSW tightens lithium battery standards
15 July 2024
NSW is moving to ensure lithium-ion battery products are appropriately tested and meet new safety standards before they enter the market, amid a rising number of fires...
Regulators finalise FAR rules for insurers
15 July 2024
New information to help insurers and super trustees prepare for the start of the Financial Accountability Regime next March has been released following a consultation...