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Insurers and brokers to address ESL inquiry

A NSW parliamentary inquiry into removing the emergency services levy will hold hearings next week, with the Insurance Council of Australia and the National Insurance Brokers Association among groups appearing.

The hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday will feature a session on the first afternoon focused on insurance industry views.

ICA CEO Andrew Hall will appear with a senior associate from Lateral Economics, which completed an analysis for the peak body on savings benefits from ESL reform.

Suncorp and IAG executives are also scheduled to attend.

NIBA will be represented by president Nick Cook and policy and advocacy lead Ben Marshan.

Others appearing include NSW Farmers, Business NSW, the Property Council of Australia, the Strata Community Association, local government representatives, the Financial Rights Legal Centre, NSW Council of Social Service and the Shopping Centre Council.

Related article: No easy answers on ESL reform

The second day includes State Emergency Service representatives, and paramedic and firefighting associations.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, NSW Valuer General, Treasury and Revenue NSW will also appear.

The Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Emergency Services Funding Reform has released 87 submissions in response to a Treasury options paper. It is due to report in November.

Last month, ICA launched a “scrap the insurance tax” campaign, supported by a coalition of organisations, highlighting that NSW is the last mainland state to continue funding emergency services through an inefficient levy on premiums.

The groups are seeking bipartisan political support for reform, with the state due to go to the polls on March 13.