Media Releases

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty is convinced shopping around for property insurance will reveal huge variations both in cost and what is covered by property insurance following a meeting with a major insurance company at Parliament House this week.

Mr Delahunty said “I have been involved in meetings with other National Party Members to discuss this situation which revealed most properties across Australia will fall into low risk, medium risk or high flood risk categories”.

In percentage terms, approximately three per cent of properties fall into the high risk category and four to five per cent fall into the medium risk category. The balance, more than 90 per cent, are low risk, Mr Delahunty said.

Some insurers have an ‘opt out’ clause for flood coverage while for others it is a compulsory component of their insurance coverage.

Following last year’s Natural Disaster Insurance Review, the Federal Government is proposing mandatory flood insurance with every home insurance policy, with home owners to be given the choice to opt out if they do not wish to be covered for floods.

The review also recommended a standard definition of flood.  It is hoped the standard definition will remove the ridiculous debate about riverine flooding versus flash flooding, which has caused so much trauma for many people, often with neighbours being treated differently by their individual insurance companies, Mr Delahunty said.

Some companies are using the one in 10,000 year, but most are still based on the one in 100 year flood event and maps from the National flood industry data base through the Insurance Council of Australia, Mr Delahunty said.

Some companies appear to be basing their premiums on post codes, whilst for others it is an individual risk assessment, he said.

In terms of opting out, some companies will require the ticking of a box to opt out, so it is clear that you have made that choice.

I suggest all insurance purchasers speak with your insurer if you’re not satisfied, get other quotes in writing, and read all the fine print, so they know just what they are paying for, Mr Delahunty concluded.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty in Parliament this week said western Victorian families, community groups and businesses were unhappy with the never ending rising costs of living in Victoria.

“Increasing numbers of individuals, community groups and businesses have contacted my office and spoken to me directly concerned with rising costs of water, electricity, gas, fuel and council rates and many people are finding it more and more difficult to make ends meet and to pay these rising costs,” Mr Delahunty said.

Welfare organisations have indicated that some people are going without necessities to enable them to pay their utility accounts.

Mr Delahunty said Victorians, and particularly western Victorians, are angry that this Labor Government has wasted enormous amounts of taxpayers’ money on self promoting advertising and substantial cost blow outs on projects such as the Smart Meter rollout, the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant and the MYKI ticketing system, a $1.4 billion cost overrun.

“This money could have been used to help ease burden of consumer financial pains,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty told Parliament of two examples of financial pressure on voluntary community groups.

“The water and waste water charges to the Old Shire Hall Committee in Coleraine.  Where their cost of water usage cost was $1.45, but with added service charges the account was $99.46.  This Committee believes their charges are excessive, especially when the building is owned by the Crown.”

“Another example, last Sunday, I was fortunate to participate in the very well attended ceremony to open the Dunkeld Museum, to acknowledge a collection of Aboriginal artefacts and celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the museum.

Mr Delahunty said during his welcome address, President Mr Jeff Nagorcka, highlighted the tremendous support that has been given to the museum and the enormous effort put in by the volunteers, but raised the concerns of ever increasing utility costs, insurance and fire service levies and council rates.

”Western Victorians know this Labor Government cannot manage money, cannot manage projects and cannot help them with the cost of living pressures and are looking forward to the 27^th of November to remove them from government and the treasury benches,” Mr Delahunty said.

For free tools and advice for managing money and debt, visit www.moneyhelp.org.au or contact 1800 149 689 for a free phone financial counselling service.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty, has this week in Parliament expressed his dismay that over the last 11 years of Labor government the cost of living for Victorian families has increased significantly, particularly in the areas of electricity, water and council rates.

Mr Delahunty said country Victorians were angry at having to pay ever increasing charges under the Brumby Government.

“Soaring water, gas and electricity prices have increased the financial pressure on all Victorians, but I am particularly concerned for families and pensioners,’ Mr Delahunty said.

“In its State Budget Submission 2009-10 the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) stated that:

“As well as affecting peoples’ ability to meet their basic needs, increases in the cost of essentials like housing, energy, water and transport put pressure on individuals and families to meet other costs, such as those related to their children’s participation in school.”

“Despite significant increases in these costs, the Brumby Government has failed to increase concession rates in line with these increases.”

Mr Delahunty said Victorians also bear the burden of an automatic increase in every State Government fee, fine and charge, as part of the Brumby Government’s policy of indexing all state fees and charges every year on July 1.

“I have spoken with many welfare organisations, community organisations and pensioner group in the past few months who are concerned about the impacts of high utility costs.

“It’s high time this Labor Government started listening to the concerns of Victorians regarding the costs of living in our state.”