The National Insurance Brokers Association’s (NIBA) new NT subcommittee will be officially launched at a special lunch in Darwin on July 11.

Cheryl Richardson, the subcommittee chairman and a member of Marsh’s NT executive, says since forming in February the group’s priorities have been member education, networking events and support for young professionals.

“Education is a big-ticket item for us,” she told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “We don’t get the same opportunities as the southern states, where different companies run seminars for the industry. We don’t have that opportunity [in the NT] because of cost.

“Industry organisations [such as NIBA] need to make it viable for them financially, and it is a priority for us to make sure we get some quality speakers and seminars here in the NT.”

Ms Richardson hopes the lunch at the Skycity Casino will become an annual event.

Although autonomous, the NT group is a subcommittee of NIBA’s SA division, which was previously responsible for the territory.

A Tasmania subcommittee was formed in March, chaired by ANCA Insurance Brokers MD Nigel Clutterbuck. Tasmania is tied to NIBA’s Victoria division.

NIBA previously had committees in the NT and Tasmania until 2009 when they were shut down ostensibly to save money.

NIBA CEO Dallas Booth says the subcommittees will improve member engagement in the NT and Tasmania, enhance continuing professional development opportunities and add networking events to the association’s calendar.

He says he has an open mind on full divisional status for the NT and Tasmania, should the issue arise in future.

“We’re just taking it one step at a time,” he said. “It’s a learning experience for all of us.”