Strata Community Association NSW says the phasing out of insurance commissions from next year will be supported by training, as the shift to alternative arrangements may be challenging for some managers.OCN's David Glover has welcomed SCA’s decision while noting other forms of conflicted remuneration also need to end, and it is important the commissions ban is not sidestepped.Read the article here
The Owners Corporation Network of Australia says aspects of the $2 billion strata insurance market raise questions on ethics in the broking industry and the role and performance of the code. Its submission to the industry’s code review notes ABC reporting last year examined issues such as common ownership of underwriting agencies and brokers, and lack of transparency. The network says the code does not articulate what represents a conflict of interest and [...]
Consumer advocacy groups are calling on the New South Wales government to proceed with its proposed ban on strata insurance commissions, arguing the reform is essential to addressing conflicts of interest and restoring trust in the sector. The Owners Corporation Network (OCN) and the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby Inc (ACIL) have jointly urged policymakers not to abandon the reform, despite growing resistance from within the strata management industry. The pushback follows [...]
On 28 January 2025, Insurance News reported that "Groups including the Owners Corporation Network have called for the urgent release of the report summary. “Consumers expect transparency and to know that due process has been followed. The NSW government needs to quell the concerns that have been raised by the ABC article,” network CEO Shari Driver said. “Everyone needs to have certainty and confidence in the management of the strata industry.” [...]
Shari Driver, CEO of OCN, recently spoke to Insurance News about insurance commissions. Shari told Insurance News that: “Disclosure is a mere ‘apology after the fact’ approach that seems to put the strata manager’s interests above their client, and if that happens, legally it does not meet the standards required of fiduciaries,” “Insurance is one of the largest expenses borne by owners’ corporations. OCN has been horrified to discover the extent [...]
In response to last night’s damning ABC Four Corners’ report on the strata industry, a coalition of consumer advocacy groups, including insurance brokers, has called on the federal government to launch a public inquiry. A media release cited “systemic harmful practices within the industry that compromise consumer rights and community expectations.” Tyrone Shandiman (pictured above), chair of the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL), said his group has already documented 146 cases [...]
The NSW government says there is “more to come” on strata reforms after last week passing legislation to improve disclosure and toughen penalties. The legislation was introduced before Four Corners put the spotlight on the strata sector. The program followed an ABC report earlier in the year focused on NSW company Netstrata. “We have heard about strata managing agents charging excessive fees and commissions when buying strata insurance and using the [...]
Consumer groups are pushing for a national inquiry into the strata management sector and a lawyers’ group has called for tougher state-level regulation following last week’s Four Corners program. The Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby, Choice, Financial Rights Legal Centre and the Owners Corporation Network of Australia are among nine groups pressing Treasurer Jim Chalmers to launch a review led by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission or Productivity Commission. Read full [...]
After Four Corners investigated the hidden fees, secret kickbacks and developer deals strata companies were using, consumer groups are calling for action. CHOICE and the Owners Corporation Network have signed an open letter to Treasurer Jim Chalmers. They're calling for a government-instructed inquiry to look into the conduct of strata corporations. They'd also like the inquiry to investigate if current laws were adequate enough to deal with the issues raised by Four Corners. [...]
Ten top consumer groups are demanding the federal treasurer call an inquiry into the strata management industry. It follows an ABC Four Corners investigation that found many apartment owners are being ripped off by their strata management firms. The head of the Owners Corporation Network says it's time for the federal government to step in. Read full article:> Top consumer groups say 'it's time' for urgent action on strata industry, demand federal [...]
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