In just under two weeks, the flood-affected people of Lismore will be able to share their insurance company stories with the House Standing Committee on Economics.

The public hearings will be in Lismore at Invercauld House on Thursday, April 11. Lismore will be at the end of the committee's journey as they seek insurance information from the Moreton Bay and Logan regions (Queensland) as part of its inquiry into insurers’ responses to 2022 major flood claims.

Committee Chair, Daniel Mulino MP, said the inquiry had heard from regulators, insurance companies and consumer advocacy, and legal rights groups. “Now we want to hear firsthand from the locals in some of the worst-hit regions.”

Dr Mulino said that councils, community organisations and businesses had been invited to give evidence at roundtable discussions at the hearings. (Organisations that wish to contribute can email their interest to the Committee secretariat.)

Expressions of interest are also being sought from residents to each give a three-to-four-minute public statement about their experience with their insurers.

Dr Mulino urged people “with a story to share, and who are willing to go on the public record, to register – as soon as possible – their interest in appearing”.

The Committee would like to hear about any of the following issues:

• the experiences of policyholders before, during and after making claims
• timeframes for resolving claims
• obstacles to resolving claims
• insurers’ communication with policyholders
• accessibility and affordability of hydrology reports and other expert assessments
• affordability of insurance premiums
• claimants’ experiences of insurers’ dispute resolution processes.

People interested in appearing should email a one or two-sentence summary of their experience to the Committee secretariat.

Dr Mulino acknowledged that the inquiry may not be able to accommodate everybody on the day. “We know that in some of these places almost everyone has a story to tell. But for anyone who misses out or who wishes to provide information to the Committee, there is still time to make a public or confidential submission, and/or complete our online survey.”

More than 400 people have completed the survey about their experience with their insurer.

Individuals who want to make a statement at the hearings should email floodinsurance.reps@aph.gov.au.

They should write “Public hearing” and the hearing location (whether Caboolture, Logan or Lismore) in the subject line and include full name(s) for each person who wants to participate, as well as a contact number and email address.

Submissions can be uploaded through this online link or by email to floodinsurance.reps@aph.gov.au until 31 July 2024.

Programs for the hearings will be posted on the inquiry website closer to the time. A live audio stream of the hearings will be available on the APH website.

THE DETAILS

Public Hearing – Lismore – local councils, businesses, community organisations and community members

Date: 11 April 2024

Time: 9am (tbc)

Location: Invercauld House, Goonellabah