Page 732 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 May 1992
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National Roads and Motorists Association
MR LAMONT (3.39): I rise following comments made in the adjournment debate earlier this week by Mr De Domenico in relation to that extremely successful insurance company - I think that was the term he used - the NRMA announcing record profits for its reporting year, and also indicating that it was good to see that the NRMA, particularly the insurance sector, was so good at doing its business. He said that it was good to see the private sector good at doing its business.
I am somewhat concerned, in fact, at the reports which have since emerged about why the NRMA is in a position to announce a $103m return on premiums that have been paid to it. For the purpose of balance we should take into account this afternoon the comments that have been made by Mr Talbot, a member of the NRMA board. He, along with a number of other quite well-known and respected citizens in Australia, has been critical of the NRMA's policy. I think there are seven of them who have been extremely concerned. I would also indicate, Madam Speaker, that their numbers have been growing, which only indicates that there have been concerns also expressed by some NRMA policyholders.
My issue this afternoon is as outlined by Mr Talbot. The question that we should be asking is whether or not this company appropriately sets premium rates in advance. It would seem - I think it is self-evident - that they have not been doing so. I think it is appropriate that the work of Mr Talbot be recognised by Mr De Domenico as the motivation behind the return of these types of premiums to NRMA policyholders. In fact, as Mr Talbot points out, one would suspect that this return of members' funds may have more to do with the impending elections in the NRMA than any other reason.
Forty-Hour Famine
MR HUMPHRIES (3.42): Madam Speaker, before the Assembly next meets an event will take place which I would like to commend to members of the Assembly. It is the annual 40-Hour Famine sponsored by World Vision. I am sure members are well aware of the shocking state of the Third World's hungry at this stage. It does not need me to remind everyone of that; but I think it is worth mentioning, Madam Speaker, that the situation, particularly in Africa, at the present time is extremely serious. There are some 30 million people literally starving on that continent at present because of famine and drought which has spread throughout that continent, in particular to southern areas of the continent which it had not previously reached, areas such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana and even South Africa. The situation is extremely serious because many of those countries are very poor and simply have no infrastructure to provide for their citizens.
Madam Speaker, the 40-Hour Famine, as members are probably aware, is an important way of generating some ACT and Australian help for those people through the work that World Vision does in those countries. There are a number of organisations working overseas in that fashion. They all deserve our support;
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