The House Standing Committee on Economics will hold public hearings in Queensland and the Northern Rivers on April 9-11 as part of its inquiry into insurers' responses to 2022 major floods claims.
The Committee will hold public hearings at:
- The Hub, Caboolture, Queensland - Tuesday, April 9
- Beenleigh Events Centre, Logan, Queensland - Wednesday, April 10
- Invercauld House, Lismore, New South Wales - Thursday, April 11, 9am (TBC).
Committee Chair, Daniel Mulino MP, said the inquiry had heard from regulators, insurance companies and consumer advocacy, and legal rights groups. "Now we want to hear firsthand from the locals in some of the worst-hit regions."
Dr Mulino said that councils, community organisations and businesses had been invited to give evidence at roundtable discussions at the hearings. (Organisations that wish to contribute can email their interest to the Committee secretariat.)
Expressions of interest are also being sought from residents to each give a three- to four-minute public statement about their experience with their insurers. Dr Mulino urged people "with a story to share, and who are willing to go on the public record, to register - as soon as possible - their interest in appearing".
The Committee would like to hear about any of the following issues:
- the experiences of policyholders before, during and after making claims
- timeframes for resolving claims
- obstacles to resolving claims
- insurers' communication with policyholders
- accessibility and affordability of hydrology reports and other expert assessments
- affordability of insurance premiums
- claimants' experiences of insurers' dispute resolution processes.
People interested in appearing should email a one or two sentence summary of their experience to the Committee secretariat.
Dr Mulino acknowledged that the inquiry may not be able to accommodate everybody on the day. "We know that in some of these places almost everyone has a story to tell. But for anyone who misses out or who wishes to provide information to the Committee, there is still time to make a public or confidential submission, and/or complete our online survey."
More than 400 people have completed the survey about their experience with their insurer.
Individuals who want to make a statement at the hearings should email floodinsurance.reps@aph.gov.au.
They should write "Public hearing" and the hearing location (whether Caboolture, Logan or Lismore) in the subject line and include full name(s) for each person who wants to participate, as well as a contact number and email address.
Submissions can be uploaded through this online link or by email to floodinsurance.reps@aph.gov.au until 31 July 2024.
Programs for the hearings will be posted on the inquiry website closer to the time. A live audio stream of the hearings will be available on the APH website.
Online survey
The survey is open until 31 July and is available here: Insurers' responses to 2022 major flood claims.
For further information contact the Committee secretariat on 02 6277 4707 or floodinsurance.reps@aph.gov.au.
