Proposed Reforms Could Save Australians $4 Billion on Insurance

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 Cyclone Reinsurance Pool, created in 2022, currently works by having insurers contribute to a fund that helps protect high-risk properties from cyclone and flood damage, thereby reducing premiums. The Greens seek to make it broader, incorporating a wider range of climate-related events. In addition to tax reforms and regulatory oversight through the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, the proposal also includes the development of a $10 million risk map to identify at-risk communities.

The policy estimations from the Parliamentary Budget Office suggest these measures could result in significant savings for Australian households, notably due to the removal of stamp duty fees. This policy will be unveiled by Deputy Greens Leader Mehreen Faruqi alongside candidate Mandy Nolan in a strategic move to gain traction in the Richmond seat, currently a target for the upcoming federal election.

Senator Faruqi criticized the lack of transparency by insurance companies, accusing them of exploiting the climate crisis for profit. She advocates for accountability, stressing that the companies responsible for climate issues should bear financial responsibility.

The Greens' announcement aligns with public sentiment against rising insurance costs, pushing for greater corporate transparency. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has threatened to act against insurers for excessive premium hikes, framing the issue as a failure of the free market. However, Nationals Leader David Littleproud prefers a cautious approach to regulatory reforms, emphasizing methodical evaluation before any drastic action.

The initiative has met criticism from independents like Zali Steggall, who dismissed Dutton's threats as "populist" and urged the Coalition to develop effective climate and energy policies rather than relying on insurance interventions.

As the debate unfolds, private health insurance is also under scrutiny, with Health Minister Mark Butler demanding justifiable proposals for any premium increases.

The insurance market is dominated by a few large companies controlling a significant market share, highlighting the potential impact of these proposed changes. As the political and public discourse continues, stakeholders await the unveiling of these proposed measures and their potential ramifications for insurers and consumers.

Published:Saturday, 1st Mar 2025
Author: Paige Estritori

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.

Share this news item:

Insurance News

Clear

Fruit Fly Pressure Shows Biosecurity Is a Whole-Farm Insurance Issue

11 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent rural reporting on Queensland fruit fly pressure in horticultural regions is a timely reminder that biosecurity is not only a production issue. For orchardists, vegetable growers and mixed farms with small horticulture enterprises, a pest detection can affect far more than the crop in the paddock. It can influence picking schedules, packing arrangements, transport routes, labour planning, market access and cash flow. - read more

Rain Boosts the Season, but Risk Planning Still Matters

31 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent rural reporting has pointed to a more encouraging winter moisture profile across parts of the eastern and southern farming regions, with many growers seeing improved crop prospects after a difficult start in some districts. For farm businesses, that is welcome news. Better soil moisture can support establishment, pasture growth and yield potential, but it does not remove the need for disciplined risk planning. - read more

Grain Price Rally Puts Seasonal Risk Back in Focus

24 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Grain Central reported on 23 July 2026 that Australian grain prices have continued to firm, supported by global wheat market heat and local uncertainty about new-crop production. For growers, the story is not simply about better prices. It is also a reminder that a promising crop can still carry significant risk when weather, timing and market volatility start moving together. - read more

Second NSW H5 Bird Flu Detection Puts Biosecurity Back on the Farm Risk Agenda

17 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

A second H5 bird flu detection in New South Wales has moved avian disease risk from a distant global concern to a practical on-farm planning issue for Australian producers. The latest case involved a petrel found at Hawks Nest on the NSW Mid North Coast, following an earlier detection at the same beach. Authorities have indicated the human health risk remains low, and there has been no reported H5 detection in NSW commercial poultry flocks at this stage. - read more

What SowSure Could Mean for Crop Risk Planning

10 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

On 3 July 2026, Grain Central reported that RAGT Australia’s SowSure crop establishment protection initiative had received $982,049 through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. For grain growers, the news is notable because it places insurance-style thinking closer to the sowing decision, rather than waiting until later-season losses become obvious. - read more

What a Major Quad Bike Fine Means for Farm Risk

03 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

A recent quad bike fatality case in New South Wales has put farm safety, workplace liability and risk management back under close attention. ABC Rural reported on 2 July 2026 that Wumbulgal Agriculture Pty Ltd was fined $555,000 after an 82-year-old worker died in a quad bike accident at Yenda in the Riverina in February 2023. The company was found to have breached work health and safety obligations. - read more

New Herbicide Restrictions Raise On-Farm Risk Questions

26 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

Australian farmers now have clearer, but tighter, rules for two widely used knockdown herbicides after the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority finalised its review of paraquat and diquat on 23 June 2026. The chemicals have not been removed from the market, but their continued use will sit behind significant new conditions affecting application rates, equipment, handling systems and worker protection. - read more

Mackay Sugar Cyber Incident Highlights a New Risk for Farm Businesses

19 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

A reported ransomware incident affecting Mackay Sugar has put agricultural cyber risk back in the spotlight, this time with a clear lesson for producers who depend on processors, contractors and shared infrastructure. ABC Rural reported on 18 June 2026 that a Russian-speaking ransomware operation known as The Gentlemen had claimed responsibility for a cyber attack that disrupted two Mackay Sugar mills, with the company working to verify the claim and restart Farleigh and Racecourse mills in stages. - read more

NRMA's Departure from Farm Insurance: What It Means for Australian Farmers

12 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

In a significant shift within the Australian insurance landscape, NRMA has announced its withdrawal from the farm insurance market, ceasing the sale of new policies as of July 1, 2025. This decision affects both hobby and commercial farm insurance policies, leaving many farmers in search of alternative coverage options. - read more

Achmea and Protected Cropping Australia Join Forces to Support Greenhouse Farmers

12 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

Achmea Farm Insurance and Protected Cropping Australia (PCA) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering risk mitigation and resilience within Australia's protected cropping sector. This collaboration seeks to empower greenhouse and glasshouse growers by providing tailored insurance solutions and fostering knowledge exchange on best practices. - read more

Click for more Insurance News