ESL repeal on the agenda as NSW election looms

Brokers and insurers are preparing to step up their push for the repeal of the NSW Emergency Services Levy (ESL) ahead of the state election in March.

National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) CEO Phil Kewin said yesterday that with the election coming up the group wanted to again tackle the issue, along with the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA).

“It is inequitable funding. It doesn’t work and it is driving up the cost of insurance premiums unnecessarily,” he told the NIBA summit in Sydney.

ICA has previously said NSW insurance customers now pay the most expensive premiums in the country, the levy adds 30-50% to the cost of premiums and it’s adding to affordability issues.

The state government abandoned a previous move to replace the ESL with a broad-based property tax in 2017, with NSW now the only mainland state funding emergency services through an insurance levy.

Mr Kewin also said that in its work with governments NIBA had established a strong reputation, and as the sole group representing brokers is itself seen as a trusted adviser in representing the sector.

“That is what we need to continue to do,” he said.

NIBA President Dianne Phelan earlier told the summit that the new code of practice was an important document in promoting the professionalism of brokers and that as a “living document” it could continue to be improved.

“We should remember that self-regulation is a privilege it is not a right,” she said. “To earn that privilege we must demonstrate that we are committed to providing the best possible outcomes for clients in an open and transparent way.”

Changes to the code, which comes into effect from the start of next month, will be made as it makes sense to do so, or if future regulatory changes are made that require adjustments, she said.

“With the world changing at an ever-increasing rate so we need to realise that our code will also have to change,” she said.

Consultations are continuing with members on a number of suggested changes, while the NIBA constitution is also being reviewed to ensure it is contemporary and aligns with the new code, she said.