Hospitality Insurance Online :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Tasmanian Government Insurance Proposal Faces Industry Backlash

Tasmanian Government Insurance Proposal Faces Industry Backlash

Tasmanian Government Insurance Proposal Faces Industry Backlash?w=400
The Tasmanian government's recent proposal to establish a state-run insurance entity has drawn significant criticism from key players in the insurance industry.
The plan, spearheaded by Premier Jeremy Rockliff, aims to expand the Motor Accidents Insurance Board into a broader service named TasInsure, offering products including home and contents insurance, small business coverage, and more.
The RACT, a major player in Tasmania's insurance sector, expressed considerable concern, labelling the initiative as a simplistic answer to complex problems.

RACT's CEO, Mark Mugnaioni, highlighted the essential need to address the underlying drivers of rising insurance costs, such as frequent natural disasters and increasing construction expenses, rather than implementing what he sees as quick fixes. He emphasised that the RACT, as a mutual owned by 220,000 members, prioritises the interest of its members over profits. Despite market pressures, RACT has managed to keep its home insurance costs lower than those of mainland insurers.

Premier Rockliff, facing an election amid the turmoil of a recent no-confidence motion, argues that a state insurer would curb the high premiums Tasmanians pay for mainland payouts and profits. However, his opposition dismissed the proposal as a poorly thought-out idea fraught with risks. Labor leader Dean Winter criticised the plan for potentially jeopardising the long-standing RACT without proper consultation.

Independent economist Saul Eslake was critically surprised by the proposal, questioning the wisdom of having a government entity compete with established private firms in the insurance space. Cameron Gill, manager at Steadfast Taswide Insurance Brokers, remarked on the industry's surprise by the announcement and urged for detailed discussions regarding the implications of such a model.

The proposal has sparked a debate on how best to address perceived market failures, especially in regional areas. While Premier Rockliff believes in the potential of a government-run insurer, industry experts like Gill suggest alternative solutions, such as lowering taxes on commercial premiums, could be more effective and less financially risky.

This unfolding scenario underscores the complexities of the Tasmanian insurance market and highlights the challenges in balancing government intervention against established market forces. As the election approaches, the industry awaits further developments and potential policy clarifications.

Published:Monday, 7th Jul 2025
Source: Paige Estritori

Share this news item:

Insurance News

ASIC Challenges Federal Court's 'Fair Term' Ruling ASIC Challenges Federal Court's 'Fair Term' Ruling
09 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is appealing a Federal Court decision regarding the wording of a 'pre-existing condition' clause in certain HCF Life insurance products. The court previously determined that while the wording had the potential to mislead consumers, it did not constitute an unfair contract term under the current laws set out in the ASIC Act 2001. - read more
ICA Advocates for Strata Law Reform in the ACT to Enhance Building Management ICA Advocates for Strata Law Reform in the ACT to Enhance Building Management
08 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) is urging the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) to adopt strata transparency regulations, aiming to enhance oversight of building repairs and maintenance by owners’ committees. This call was made during a parliamentary inquiry, where the ICA pushed for measures akin to recent legislative changes in New South Wales. - read more
Tasmanian Government Insurance Proposal Faces Industry Backlash Tasmanian Government Insurance Proposal Faces Industry Backlash
07 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori

The Tasmanian government's recent proposal to establish a state-run insurance entity has drawn significant criticism from key players in the insurance industry. The plan, spearheaded by Premier Jeremy Rockliff, aims to expand the Motor Accidents Insurance Board into a broader service named TasInsure, offering products including home and contents insurance, small business coverage, and more. The RACT, a major player in Tasmania's insurance sector, expressed considerable concern, labelling the initiative as a simplistic answer to complex problems. - read more
Asbestos Scare Leaves Hospitality Business Uninsured Asbestos Scare Leaves Hospitality Business Uninsured
04 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori

The discovery of asbestos-contaminated mulch in a Sydney park led to the cancellation of a festival, resulting in significant financial losses for a hospitality business. Despite these setbacks, the company's claim for coverage under its business interruption (BI) policy was rejected. - read more
Landmark NSW Decision: Dog Walking Costs Covered in Car Crash Injury Claims Landmark NSW Decision: Dog Walking Costs Covered in Car Crash Injury Claims
03 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori

In a groundbreaking decision by the NSW Personal Injury Commission, an insurer has been directed to cover the costs of dog walking services for a car crash victim. The commission ruled that these services classify as domestic assistance under the state’s Motor Accident Injuries Act. This case could pave the way for broader interpretations of 'attendant care services' for claimants. - read more


Hospitality Insurance Articles

Tips for Finding the Best Hospitality Insurance Coverage Tips for Finding the Best Hospitality Insurance Coverage
Tailored insurance is a type of insurance policy that's specifically designed to meet the unique needs of a particular business or industry. Unlike one-size-fits-all policies, tailored insurance provides a more customized approach, ensuring that the coverage fits the specific risks and requirements of the business. - read more
Why Tailored Insurance is Essential for Your Hospitality Business Why Tailored Insurance is Essential for Your Hospitality Business
In the bustling world of hospitality, the right insurance can make all the difference for your business. Tailored insurance, as the name suggests, involves customising your insurance policy to meet the specific needs and risks associated with your industry. This personalised approach ensures that you are not overpaying for unnecessary coverage while also safeguarding your business against potential threats. - read more
Essential Insurance Types Every Cafe Owner Should Consider Essential Insurance Types Every Cafe Owner Should Consider
Running a cafe is more than just serving delightful coffee and snacks; it's about creating an experience and ensuring that experience is safeguarded. While the hospitality industry can be incredibly rewarding, it's not without its risks. This is where the importance of insurance comes into play, acting as a crucial safety net for cafe owners. - read more
What Hospitality Business Owners Need to Know About Income Protection Insurance What Hospitality Business Owners Need to Know About Income Protection Insurance
The Australian hospitality industry is renowned for its vibrancy, yet it also faces significant challenges. With fluctuating demand, seasonal changes, and unpredictable external factors such as economic downturns and pandemics, hospitality businesses often operate in a high-risk environment. For hotel operators, the stakes are even higher due to substantial investments in property, staff, and customer service. - read more
Understanding Hospitality Insurance: Considerations for Aussie Business Owners Understanding Hospitality Insurance: Considerations for Aussie Business Owners
Hospitality insurance is a crucial component for businesses within the hospitality sector, offering coverage for a range of incidents that could potentially derail operations. It's designed to protect establishments like hotels, restaurants, and event venues from various risks such as liability claims, property damage, and interruption of services. - read more
Essential Insurance Types Every Cafe Owner Should Consider Essential Insurance Types Every Cafe Owner Should Consider
Running a cafe is more than just serving delightful coffee and snacks; it's about creating an experience and ensuring that experience is safeguarded. While the hospitality industry can be incredibly rewarding, it's not without its risks. This is where the importance of insurance comes into play, acting as a crucial safety net for cafe owners. - read more
What Hospitality Business Owners Need to Know About Income Protection Insurance What Hospitality Business Owners Need to Know About Income Protection Insurance
The Australian hospitality industry is renowned for its vibrancy, yet it also faces significant challenges. With fluctuating demand, seasonal changes, and unpredictable external factors such as economic downturns and pandemics, hospitality businesses often operate in a high-risk environment. For hotel operators, the stakes are even higher due to substantial investments in property, staff, and customer service. - read more
Tips for Finding the Best Hospitality Insurance Coverage Tips for Finding the Best Hospitality Insurance Coverage
Tailored insurance is a type of insurance policy that's specifically designed to meet the unique needs of a particular business or industry. Unlike one-size-fits-all policies, tailored insurance provides a more customized approach, ensuring that the coverage fits the specific risks and requirements of the business. - read more
Why Tailored Insurance is Essential for Your Hospitality Business Why Tailored Insurance is Essential for Your Hospitality Business
In the bustling world of hospitality, the right insurance can make all the difference for your business. Tailored insurance, as the name suggests, involves customising your insurance policy to meet the specific needs and risks associated with your industry. This personalised approach ensures that you are not overpaying for unnecessary coverage while also safeguarding your business against potential threats. - read more
Understanding Hospitality Insurance: Considerations for Aussie Business Owners Understanding Hospitality Insurance: Considerations for Aussie Business Owners
Hospitality insurance is a crucial component for businesses within the hospitality sector, offering coverage for a range of incidents that could potentially derail operations. It's designed to protect establishments like hotels, restaurants, and event venues from various risks such as liability claims, property damage, and interruption of services. - read more


Your free hospitality insurance quote comparison starts here!
First Name:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided free and without obligation. We respect your privacy.

Knowledgebase
Public Liability Insurance:
A very broad term for insurance covering liability exposures for individuals and business owners. It provides broad coverage, generally including all exposures for property damage and bodily injury.

Quick Links: | Hospitality Insurance | Restaurant Insurance | Cafe Insurance | Hotel Insurance | Pub And Bar Insurance | Catering Business Insurance | Business Insurance For Hospitality | Best Hospitality Insurance
This website is owned and operated by Clark Family Pty Ltd (as Trustee for the Clark Family Trust) 43 Larch Street Tallebudgera QLD 4228, A.C.N. 010281008, authorised Financial Services Representative of Unique Group Broker Services Pty Ltd, Australian Financial Services License 509434. Visit the ASIC website for additional licensing information.
IMPORTANT: We are neither authorised nor licensed to provide finance or finance products. We do not recommend any specific financial products and we do not offer any form of credit or other financial advice. All product enquiries and requests for financial and/or other advice on this website are referred to third party, qualified intermediaries with whom you can deal directly. We may receive a fee or commission from these third parties in consideration for the referral. Before any action is taken to obtain a product or service referred to by this website, advice should be obtained (from either the third part to whom we refer you or from another qualified intermediary) as to the appropriateness of obtaining those products having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.