| Suncorp Reaches Maximum Reinsurance Retention Following Severe Storms in Queensland and NSW Thu, 11 Dec: Recent supercell thunderstorms in South East Queensland and northern New South Wales have led to a surge in insurance claims, prompting Suncorp to reach its maximum reinsurance retention of $350 million. The insurer has reported over 10,000 claims related to these events, with approximately half pertaining to home damages and the other half to motor vehicles. - read more
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| NTARC Report Identifies Inattention and Speed as Primary Factors in Major Truck Crashes Thu, 11 Dec: The National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) has released its latest Major Incident Investigation Report, highlighting inattention, distraction, and inappropriate speed as the most frequent human factors behind major truck crashes in Australia. While there has been a modest reduction in these incidents compared to previous years, they continue to pose significant risks to road safety. - read more
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| MitchCap's Strategic Alliance with BIA and BIAV: A New Era for Australia's Marine Industry Thu, 11 Dec: The Australian marine industry is set to benefit from a significant partnership between MitchCap, the Boating Industry Association (BIA), and the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV). This collaboration aims to enhance financial literacy and provide robust support to marine businesses across the nation. - read more
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| Austal's US$100 Million Boost: Strengthening US Shipbuilding Capabilities Thu, 11 Dec: Austal Limited, a prominent Australian shipbuilder, has secured a US$100 million loan facility from Export Finance Australia (EFA). This funding is set to bolster Austal's construction of vessels for the US Navy and US Coast Guard at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard. - read more
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| Navigating Towards Sustainability: Hybrid Propulsion in Australia's Marine Industry Thu, 11 Dec: The Australian marine industry is witnessing a significant shift towards sustainability, marked by the increasing adoption of hybrid propulsion systems and eco-friendly technologies. This trend reflects a global movement towards reducing emissions and promoting environmental stewardship within the boating community. - read more
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| RBA Maintains Cash Rate at 3.60%, Hints at Future Increases Thu, 11 Dec: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to keep the cash rate steady at 3.60% during its final policy meeting of 2025. This decision comes amid rising inflation, which reached 3.8% in October, surpassing the RBA's target range of 2-3%. The central bank has indicated that if inflationary pressures persist, future rate hikes may be necessary. - read more
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| ASIC's Review Highlights Concerns in Car Finance Practices Thu, 11 Dec: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has conducted a comprehensive review of the motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues that raise concerns about responsible lending practices. The findings indicate that some consumers are being subjected to exorbitant fees and are defaulting on their loans shortly after approval. - read more
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| Bank Australia Shifts Focus to Electric Vehicle Financing Thu, 11 Dec: In a bold move towards environmental sustainability, Bank Australia has ceased offering loans for new petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles as of February 2025. This policy change aligns with the bank's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2035. - read more
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| Australia's Housing Market Approaches $12 Trillion Milestone Wed, 10 Dec: Australia's residential property market is on the brink of reaching a historic valuation of $12 trillion, marking a significant milestone in the nation's real estate sector. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicates that the total value of Australia's 11.41 million homes increased by 2.7% in the September quarter, adding $317 billion to the market's worth. This surge brings the average price of residential dwellings to $1,045,400, reflecting the robust growth in property values across the country. - read more
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| Australian Property Borrowing Hits Record $98 Billion in Q3 2025 Wed, 10 Dec: In the third quarter of 2025, Australian property buyers borrowed an unprecedented $98 billion, marking a significant surge in housing finance. This substantial increase, primarily driven by investors, has raised concerns among economists about potential regulatory interventions to curb the rapid growth. - read more
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| Adelaide's Housing Market Set to Outperform National Growth in 2026 Wed, 10 Dec: Adelaide's housing market is poised for substantial growth in 2026, with forecasts predicting an increase in property values ranging from 9% to 18%. This anticipated surge positions Adelaide ahead of the national average, reflecting the city's strong market fundamentals and growing appeal among homebuyers and investors. - read more
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| Ian Thorpe Embarks on New Challenge in Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race Wed, 10 Dec: Australian Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe is set to make waves in a new arena by joining the crew of the supermaxi yacht LawConnect for the upcoming Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race. This marks a significant transition for Thorpe, who has previously dominated the swimming world with five Olympic gold medals. - read more
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| BIA's 'Discover Boating' Initiative Encourages Australians to Embrace the Water Wed, 10 Dec: The Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA) has unveiled its annual 'See You Out There' campaign, a key component of the 'Discover Boating' initiative aimed at inviting Australians to experience the joys and benefits of boating. Launching on November 1, this campaign seeks to highlight the freedom, connection, and well-being that come from spending time on the water. - read more
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| Sydney International On-Water Boat Show 2025: A Resounding Success Wed, 10 Dec: The 56th Sydney International On-Water Boat Show has successfully concluded after four dynamic days at Darling Harbour, reaffirming its status as a premier event in Australia's marine industry. Presented by the Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA) in partnership with Mulpha Events, the show attracted over 20,000 visitors, offering a comprehensive showcase of the boating lifestyle. - read more
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| ASIC's Findings on Motor Vehicle Finance: A Call for Reform Wed, 10 Dec: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently conducted a comprehensive review of the motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues that have raised concerns about consumer protection and industry practices. - read more
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| KTM's €600 Million Lifeline: A New Chapter for the Austrian Motorcycle Giant Wed, 10 Dec: In a significant development for the motorcycle industry, KTM AG has successfully secured €600 million in funding, enabling the company to fulfill its restructuring plan and stabilize its financial position. - read more
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| MotorCycle Holdings Achieves Significant Growth in New Motorcycle Sales Wed, 10 Dec: MotorCycle Holdings Limited, a prominent player in the Australian motorcycle retail and wholesale sector, has announced a record-breaking sales revenue of $650 million for the fiscal year 2025. This figure represents an 11.6% increase compared to the previous year, underscoring the company's robust growth trajectory in a competitive market. - read more
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| Rising Mental Health Claims Reshape Australia's Insurance Landscape Wed, 10 Dec: The Australian insurance industry is witnessing a significant shift as mental health conditions have become the leading cause of total and permanent disability (TPD) claims. Recent data from the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) indicates that mental health issues now account for nearly one-third of all TPD claims, marking a substantial change in the industry's claim patterns. - read more
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| Australian General Insurers Achieve $6 Billion Profit Amid Fewer Natural Disasters Wed, 10 Dec: In a remarkable turnaround, Australian general insurers have reported a combined profit of $6.1 billion over the past year. This substantial increase is attributed to a period of relative calm in natural catastrophes and robust investment returns. - read more
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| Australian Life Insurers Under Review for Mental Health Exclusion Practices Wed, 10 Dec: Recent findings have revealed that certain Australian life insurers continue to implement blanket exclusions for mental health conditions, a practice that contravenes the industry's code of practice. This has raised significant concerns about the fairness and legality of such exclusions. - read more
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| Marinex Underwriting Sets Sail in Australian Marine Insurance Market Wed, 10 Dec: In a significant development for Australia's marine insurance sector, Rhodian Group has announced the launch of Marinex Underwriting, a specialised agency dedicated to addressing the complex insurance needs of the marine industry. This initiative marks Rhodian's third agency launch, following the establishment of Halo Underwriting and Batch Underwriting in previous years. - read more
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| Markel Insurance Strengthens Australian Presence with New Marine Leadership Wed, 10 Dec: Markel Insurance has announced the appointment of Tim Wills as Head of Marine for Australia, signalling the company's strategic expansion into the Australian marine insurance market. Based in Sydney, Wills will spearhead the launch of Markel's marine products in the region, beginning with marine cargo insurance. - read more
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| GT Insurance Provides Flexible Solutions Amid Global Trade Shifts Wed, 10 Dec: As global trade dynamics undergo significant shifts, GT Insurance is reaffirming its commitment to supporting marine clients navigating these challenges. The recent imposition of US tariffs—25% on Australian steel and aluminium, and 10% on other exported goods—has introduced new uncertainties for local exporters, particularly in sectors like beef and bulk freight. These tariffs, effective from April 5, 2025, have prompted concerns about declining export volumes and reduced freight margins. - read more
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| QBE Insurance Faces Market Challenges as Premium Growth Slows Wed, 10 Dec: QBE Insurance Group, Australia's largest insurer by market value, recently experienced a significant decline in its share price, reaching a seven-month low. This downturn is primarily attributed to a noticeable slowdown in the company's premium rate growth during the third quarter of the 2025 fiscal year. - read more
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| Surge in Profits for Australian Insurers Amid Rising Premiums Wed, 10 Dec: In 2024, Australia's insurance industry reported a collective after-tax profit of $6.1 billion, a significant increase from the five-year average of $2 billion. This surge is attributed to substantial premium hikes and a relatively quiet year for natural disasters. - read more
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