In relation to public liability insurance:

(1) How many non-profit groups have sought assistance from the Government in obtaining public liability insurance since the establishment of your new public liability assistance programs;

(2) How many applications for assistance have been (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in obtaining public liability insurance as the result of assistance by your Department;

(3) If possible, could the Treasurer please advise of the average increase in premiums that these groups have had to pay in order to obtain insurance;

(4) How many small businesses have sought assistance from the Government in obtaining public liability insurance since November 2001;

(5) How many small businesses have been (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in obtaining public liability insurance as a result of assistance from the Government.

Mr Quinlan: The answer to the members' question is as follows:

1. The Insurance help line has received 126 calls from identified non-profit groups. Additionally, approximately 750 representatives of non-profit groups attended Departmental Insurance Seminars in 2002. So far, in excess of 120 registrants, representatives of community groups and government contract officers who service the relationships with community groups are scheduled to attend full-day risk seminars between now and the end of June 2003. It is anticipated the total attendees for the courses will exceed 200. The course sizes are capped at 15 participants to allow for greater interaction.

2. The Community Care Underwriting Agency Group Insurance Scheme commenced operation on 16 December 2002. The ACT was the first jurisdiction outside NSW to have the Scheme and it commenced in the ACT on the same day as in NSW. To date, there have been 106 ACT community contacts with the scheme: 15 policies