NIBA calls for NSW Minns Government to ditch ESL

30 March 2023

The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) has congratulated the Minns Labor Government on its NSW election win and has called for it to act quickly on removing the Emergency Services Levy (ESL).

The ESL adds about 18% to home premiums and up to 40% to business premiums and NIBA says its removal would reduce cost of living pressures on families in the state.

“NIBA looks forward to continuing to work with the NSW Government to remove the ESL from insurance premiums and look at alternative solutions for funding,” it says.

“Given the growing impact of extreme weather events across the State, the urgency of removing the ESL is paramount.”

The Insurance Council of Australia made the ESL an election issue by launching an advertising campaign to highlight that NSW is the last mainland state to still fund emergency services through a levy on premiums.

Labor’s Chris Minns has been sworn in as the state’s Premier following last Saturday’s election, returning the party to government for the first time in 12 years. Counting in a handful of key seats is still continuing, with Labor still short of an outright majority.