The Insurance Council is continuing to press for the removal of the Fire Services levy and stamp duty on insurance policies, with one small opportunity opening in Victoria. Although the state’s Business Tax Review Committee recently recommended abolition of both taxes – which it described as “among the most inefficient taxes in Victoria” – Victorian Treasurer John Brumby said those recommendations were outside the committee’s terms of reference.

ICA Deputy Chief Executive Philip Maguire has called for the committee’s recommendation to be put back on the agenda so they can be discussed further during the consultation period that will precede an official government response.