While the affordability and accessibility of public liability insurance are matters for State and Territory Governments, the Commonwealth is prepared to assist them gather and share information on possible courses of action, The Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer, Helen Coonan, said today.
"I am aware that recent premium rises are hitting small businesses, community groups and local councils hard," Senator Coonan said.
"To assist State and Territory Governments, the Commonwealth is offering to host a meeting to coordinate the exchange of information about the affordability and accessibility of public liability insurance among relevant Ministers."
Senator Coonan said that a meeting could assist State and Territory Governments to -
- gather and exchange information on the factors driving the recent price rises,
- consider the different courses of action taken by State and Territory Governments to date, and
- examine the scope for a consistent approach across different jurisdictions.
Senator Coonan said that most States already had independent processes underway to consider the issues surrounding public liability insurance cover.
"State Governments have a clear and unambiguous responsibility in this area. Many of the forms of relief being publicly canvassed, such as the abolition of common law rights and capping of claims fall within the jurisdiction of the States and Territories and are matters for relevant Attorneys-General," Senator Coonan said.
Options already being explored at the State level include the establishment of a taskforce and insurance fund by the Queensland Government, and $100,000 in relief to enhance risk management procedures among tourism operators by the Victorian Government.
Senator Coonan said it was important that the factors driving premium rises and the accessibility of some insurance products were fully examined.
Senator Coonan said that in the lead-up to a Ministers' meeting she would consult closely with her Commonwealth and State Ministerial colleagues, the insurance industry, businesses, consumer organisations and the legal profession.