NSW Budget Prioritizes Resilience, Aimed at Insurance Affordability
NSW Budget Prioritizes Resilience, Aimed at Insurance Affordability
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
The latest NSW budget signals a significant boost for improving insurance outcomes by heavily investing in resilience building and working towards emergency services levy reforms.
Unveiling the 2024-25 budget, the Minns government has announced a substantial allocation of $5.7 billion over the next four years focused on disaster response and natural calamities, with Australian government contributions included.
Among the key initiatives, $525 million is set aside for the Resilient Homes Program in the Northern Rivers and Central West, promoting voluntary home buybacks and flood-proofing just to name a few enhancements. Meanwhile, the Resilient Lands Program will receive $87.4 million aimed at creating new housing and land opportunities in Northern Rivers.
"The focus on resilience is truly commendable," stated Andrew Hall, CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia. "By proactively addressing the need to safeguard properties and human lives from the increasing menace of severe weather, the government is paving the path for improved insurance scenarios."
An equally notable aspect of the budget is the government's renewed commitment to replacing the current insurance-based emergency services levy (ESL) with a property levy mechanism.
According to the budget documents, growing needs for emergency services spurred by climate change and frequent natural disasters are driving the push for change. The documents mention, "Transitioning from the ESL to a broader-based property levy would alleviate the pressure on insurance premiums and distribute the cost more equitably among all property owners."
Insurers have long been advocating for such reforms. Mr. Hall praised the move, remarking, "Eliminating the ESL will definitely reduce insurance costs for customers in NSW. The existing system has long penalized policyholders especially those living in flood-prone areas, already burdened by hefty insurance premiums."
IAG, another major player in the insurance arena, also lauded the budget. Nick Hawkins, CEO and MD, commented, "Measures like voluntary home buybacks, planned relocations, house raising, and retrofits are critical. These steps will not only enhance safety but also secure long-term protection for residents in high-risk zones."
The budget papers project a significant growth in ESL-related revenue, estimating an uptick of $205.6 million by 2027-28 when compared to the previous half-year review of 2023-24. This increase highlights the provisioning of additional resources to elevate emergency services for the NSW community.
For the fiscal year 2024-25, the government anticipates collecting around $1.32 billion in ESL revenue, with projections for the subsequent years being $1.27 billion in 2025-26, $1.22 billion in 2026-27, and $1.24 billion in 2027-28.
However, insurance duty revenues have observed a slight decline, revised downward by $7 million for 2023-24 and by $34 million over the next four years up to 2027-28, a situation attributed to fluctuations in year-to-date collections.
From Insurance News Magazine: How Government Disaster Payouts Could Drive the Search for a "Better Way" on Climate Adaptation.
Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.
Fresh regional reporting on rural crime has brought a familiar farm risk back into view: the loss of machinery, fuel, tools, livestock and stored inputs through theft or unauthorised access. While weather and biosecurity often dominate farm risk discussions, crime can be just as disruptive when it stops work, delays contractors or leaves a producer without essential equipment at a critical point in the season. - read more
The latest SME insurance research from Vero is a useful reminder that confidence and preparedness are not always the same thing. Many Australian small and medium-sized businesses know insurance is essential, but the harder question is whether their current cover would respond as expected after a major loss, liability claim or interruption. - read more
Recent rural market reporting has pointed to firmer cattle values across parts of eastern Australia, with improved seasonal confidence, restocker demand and tighter supply helping support prices in a number of saleyards. For producers, stronger prices are welcome after a period of difficult seasonal and cost pressures. But there is also a quieter insurance issue sitting behind the market lift: if livestock values rise, the financial exposure carried by the farm may rise with them. - read more
Recent commercial insurance market commentary points to a more favourable pricing environment for many Australian business buyers, with competition returning in some lines after several years of tougher renewal conditions. For consultants, this is welcome news, but it should not be mistaken for a signal that professional risk has become simple or low-cost to insure. - read more
Cyber insurance has moved from a specialist add-on to a mainstream business risk issue. Recent industry commentary points to a more selective market: insurers are examining security controls, data handling and outsourced technology dependencies before offering terms. For many Australian small businesses, that means a renewal is no longer just a price conversation. It is a test of whether the business can show how it prevents, detects and recovers from an incident. - read more
In today's digital environment, Australian businesses need practical cybersecurity protocols to help protect sensitive data, digital assets and networks. Phishing, ransomware and data breaches can disrupt operations, create financial loss and damage reputation, so cybersecurity should be treated as an ongoing business discipline rather than a one-off technology task. - read more
Cyber threats refer to malicious acts that seek to damage data, steal information, or disrupt digital operations. These threats can come in various forms, such as malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, and more. - read more
As we delve into the digital era, the number of cyber threats that challenge Australian small businesses is significantly on the rise. Cyber attacks have become more sophisticated, frequent, and continue to disrupt the operations of small enterprises, often with devastating consequences. The need to fortify defenses against such threats has never been more paramount. - read more
Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyber attacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information, extorting money from users, or interrupting normal business processes. - read more
Remote work has seen a significant rise in Australia, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. More businesses are embracing flexibility, allowing employees to work from home or other remote locations. - read more
Knowledgebase
Term Life Insurance: A life insurance that provides a cover for a specific period of time - usually one to five years or until the insured reaches age 65 or 70.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.