| Club Marine Recognised for Outstanding Service with 2025 Product Review Award Wed, 19 Nov: Club Marine, Australia's leading provider of recreational boat insurance, has been honoured with the 2025 Product Review Award for Insurance. This accolade is a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and service excellence. - read more
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| Markel Insurance Expands into Australian Marine Market with New Leadership Wed, 19 Nov: Markel Insurance, a prominent global insurer, has announced the appointment of Tim Wills as Head of Marine – Australia. This strategic move signifies Markel's entry into the Australian marine insurance market, beginning with marine cargo coverage. - read more
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| Addressing the $38 Billion Equity Shortfall in Australian SMEs Wed, 19 Nov: Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are pivotal to the nation's economy, representing only 6% of all businesses yet contributing 26% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite their significance, these businesses face a substantial barrier: a $38 billion equity funding gap that stifles their growth potential. - read more
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| 20-Fold Increase in Small Business Restructurings to Sustain Operations Wed, 19 Nov: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has reported a significant uptick in small business restructurings (SBR), with 3,388 appointments between July 2022 and December 2024. This marks an almost 20-fold increase compared to the previous period, indicating that more directors are embracing this regime to retain control while restructuring debt. - read more
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| AFCA Alerts SMEs to Risks of Unregulated Lenders Amid Complaint Surge Wed, 19 Nov: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has issued a warning to small businesses regarding the risks associated with unregulated lenders. This comes in response to a notable increase in complaints that AFCA cannot address due to the lenders' lack of membership in the authority. - read more
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| NSW Introduces Strata Law Reforms to Strengthen Community Governance Wed, 19 Nov: On 27 October 2025, the New South Wales (NSW) Government implemented significant reforms to strata laws, aiming to enhance transparency, accountability, and financial management within strata schemes. These changes are designed to better meet the evolving needs of strata communities across the state. - read more
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| Strata Insurance Affordability Holds Steady Despite Rising House Insurance Costs Wed, 19 Nov: In its 2025 State of the Strata Market report, CHU has revealed that strata insurance premiums have experienced a modest increase of 2.8%, rising to an average of $981 per lot in the year leading up to June 2025. This increment is notably lower than the 14% surge observed in house insurance premiums during the same period. - read more
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| Consumer Advocates Push for Ban on Strata Insurance Commissions in NSW Wed, 19 Nov: Consumer advocacy groups, including the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL) and the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), are urging the New South Wales (NSW) Government to implement a ban on commissions related to strata insurance. They argue that such commissions create conflicts of interest and compromise transparency within the strata management sector. - read more
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| CBA's Q1 2025 Profit: A Delicate Balance Between Growth and Margin Pressures Tue, 18 Nov: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the nation's largest bank by market value, has reported a modest increase in its first-quarter cash profit for 2025. This uptick is primarily attributed to robust growth in home loans and household deposits. The unaudited cash profit stands at approximately A$2.6 billion, marking a 1% rise from the previous two-quarter average and a 2% increase compared to the same period last year. - read more
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| Major Banks Rethink Mortgage Strategies Amid Profit Margin Squeeze Tue, 18 Nov: Australia's leading banks—Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Westpac, National Australia Bank (NAB), and ANZ—are actively reducing their dependence on mortgage brokers. This strategic shift aims to bolster profit margins that have been under pressure due to lower interest rates, rising operational costs, and intense market competition. - read more
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| Renewed Optimism: Australian Consumer Confidence on the Rise Tue, 18 Nov: In November 2025, Australian consumer sentiment has turned optimistic for the first time since early 2022, marking a significant shift in public economic perception. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute survey indicates a 12.8% increase in the consumer sentiment index, reaching 103.8. A reading above 100 suggests that more consumers are optimistic than pessimistic. - read more
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| ASIC's Findings on Car Finance: High Fees and Early Defaults Tue, 18 Nov: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently conducted a comprehensive review of the nation's motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues that raise concerns about consumer protection and lending practices. - read more
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| Economic Pressures Drive Australians Towards Premium Used Cars Tue, 18 Nov: As Australians grapple with escalating living expenses, a notable shift is occurring in the automotive market. Consumers are increasingly turning to premium used vehicles as a cost-effective alternative to new car purchases. - read more
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| Extended Research Periods Mark Australian Car Buying Trends Tue, 18 Nov: The Australian car market, recognized as one of the most competitive globally, is witnessing a trend where consumers are dedicating extended periods to research before finalizing their vehicle purchases. On average, Australians now spend approximately 2.8 months evaluating options before making a decision. - read more
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| Government Implements 20% Reduction in Student Loans to Alleviate Living Costs Mon, 17 Nov: In a significant move to address the rising cost of living and intergenerational inequality, the Australian government has enacted legislation reducing student loans by 20%. This policy change, effective from June 1, 2025, results in over A$16 billion in debt relief for approximately 3 million Australians. For graduates with an average loan balance of A$27,600, this equates to a reduction of A$5,520. - read more
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| Westpac's RAMS Financial Group Penalized A$20 Million for Home Loan Misconduct Mon, 17 Nov: In a landmark ruling, Australia's Federal Court has imposed a A$20 million fine on RAMS Financial Group, a subsidiary of Westpac, for serious misconduct in its home loan practices. Between June 2019 and April 2023, RAMS engaged in activities such as using falsified payslips to approve loans, dealing with unlicensed mortgage referrers, and failing to maintain proper oversight. - read more
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| ANZ Group Reports Positive Growth in Deposits and Loans for Q3 2025 Mon, 17 Nov: In its third-quarter update for 2025, ANZ Group, Australia's fourth-largest bank by market value, reported a significant rise in customer deposits and net loans and advances. Customer deposits increased by A$19 billion, while net loans and advances saw a 2% uptick. This growth is attributed to the expansion of the bank's home lending business within the domestic retail division. - read more
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| Housing Australia Broadens Lender Access to 5% Deposit Scheme Mon, 17 Nov: In a significant move to bolster the Australian housing market, Housing Australia has announced the expansion of its lender panel for the government's 5% Deposit Scheme. This initiative is set to increase competition among lenders and provide prospective homebuyers with a broader range of options. - read more
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| AFIA Unveils Landmark Finance Industry Code of Practice Mon, 17 Nov: The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) has introduced the Finance Industry Code of Practice, marking a significant milestone for Australia's non-bank lending and specialist banking sectors. This inaugural code establishes new standards for integrity, transparency, and fairness within the industry. - read more
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| Australia Announces Ambitious 2035 Climate Target Mon, 17 Nov: The Australian government has unveiled its 2035 climate target, committing to a 62-70% reduction in emissions as part of its broader net zero plan. This ambitious goal signifies Australia's dedication to addressing climate change and aligns with global efforts to mitigate environmental impact. - read more
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| Snowy River Caravans Tops Q3 2025 RV Market with Dual Category Leadership Mon, 17 Nov: In a remarkable development for Australia's recreational vehicle (RV) industry, Snowy River Caravans has secured the top position in both the Imported and RVMAP categories for the third quarter of 2025. This achievement signifies a notable shift in consumer preferences and market dynamics within the sector. - read more
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| Jayco Continues to Lead Australia's RV Market in Q2 2025 Mon, 17 Nov: Jayco, a prominent name in Australia's recreational vehicle (RV) industry, has successfully maintained its leading position in the market during the second quarter of 2025. Despite experiencing a slight decline, the brand continues to hold a substantial share, reflecting its enduring appeal among Australian consumers. - read more
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| Rising Caravan Imports and Declining Local Production: Implications for Australia's RV Industry Mon, 17 Nov: The Australian recreational vehicle (RV) industry is experiencing a significant shift, marked by an increase in caravan imports coupled with a decline in local production. This trend raises important considerations for domestic manufacturers and consumers alike. - read more
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| March 2025: Australian New Car Sales Experience Slight Decline Mon, 17 Nov: In March 2025, Australia's automotive market recorded a slight downturn, with new car sales totaling 108,606 units—a 0.9% decrease compared to the same month in the previous year. This marginal decline reflects the ongoing economic pressures affecting consumer spending habits. - read more
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| Green Loans Drive Down Personal Loan Averages in Australia Mon, 17 Nov: In recent developments within Australia's financial sector, the increasing availability of green loans has begun to influence the average rates of personal loans. Green loans, designed to finance environmentally friendly initiatives such as the purchase of electric or hybrid vehicles and sustainable home upgrades, are typically offered at lower interest rates compared to standard personal loans. - read more
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