A series of public forums will be held across northern Australia over the next few weeks to give policyholders who have faced rising insurance premiums the chance to raise their concerns directly with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The forums will be conducted as part of the competition watchdog's wide-ranging inquiry into the supply of residential building, contents, and strata insurance in northern region.

All northern Australia residents are urged to attend the forum at the following dates and venues:

• Hotel Grand Chancellor, Townsville QLD – Nov. 15 at 5:30pm
• Rydges Plaza Cairns, Cairns QLD – Nov. 16 at 5:30pm
• Oaks Elan Darwin, Darwin NT – Nov. 22 at 5:30pm
• Aurora Alice Springs, Alice Springs NT – Nov. 23 at 5:30pm
• Oaks Broome, Broome WA – Nov. 29 at 5:30pm
• Ibis Styles Karratha, Karratha WA – Nov. 30 at 5:30pm
• Travel Lodge Hotel, Rockhampton QLD – Dec. 5 at 5:30pm
• Quest Mackay on MacAlister, Mackay QLD – Dec. 6 at 5:30pm

Those who can't attend the forums can take part in this inquiry by responding to the issues paper on the ACCC website. Submissions can also be emailed to [email protected] until Dec. 21, by 5pm.

“The government will closely monitor the inquiry and findings of the ACCC inquiry,” said Kelly O’Dwyer, minister for Revenue and Financial Services. “If there is evidence to indicate that that the market is not competitive, or that premiums are not properly reflecting the risks facing residents in northern Australia, the government will consider the options available to it to improve insurance affordability.”


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