Newsroom

December 4, 2025

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, has slammed the cheek of some insurers who reportedly are offering discounts to “non-binary” persons, whilst leaving many in the north un-insured or under-insured because they are not passing on the benefits of the hard-fought for Cyclone Reinsurance Pool.

 

“There will be rioting in the streets if it is proven true that insurance companies are offering significant discounts to car insurance for people who claim to be “non-binary”. While these southern, “non-binary”, latte sippers get a discount, we can’t insure our homes because they are not passing on the benefits of the approx. $500M Cyclone Reinsurance Pool.

 

“In the north, we are LIVID!!!!” Mr Katter said.

 

“All we want is for our northern home insurance premiums to be the same as the rest of Australia. The Cyclone Reinsurance Pool should be delivering this, yet we are still paying 5-10 times more to insure our homes than those in the southeast corner and beyond.

“Some insurance companies, like Allianz and Sure, are trying to offer discounted premiums, yet we understand others, like the NRMA, remain obsessed with their own unusual proclivities,” Mr Katter exclaimed.

 

“If Australian insurers are unwilling to pass on the benefits of the Pool to FNQ homeowners, then we must force their hand,” stated Mr Katter.

 

To this end, Mr Katter is calling on Government to immediately stop insurers from operating in Australia if they are not providing universal access to home, business, strata, marine and agricultural insurance across Australia and comparable city/country premiums. Ensuring significant penalties are in place including bans, restrictions on trade and criminal penalties, and prompt and effective enforcement action is undertaken. As well as stopping the QLD Government charging stamp duty on insurance premiums, which only serve to increase premiums and increase the number of un-insured or underinsured homes.

 

To restore accountability and transparency, Mr Katter said he would be forming a North Queensland Insurance Authority, consisting of local, far-north representatives from business and industry, local government leaders, consumer advocates and ordinary homeowners.

 

“No Southern ‘double-degree done nothing’ bureaucrats wanted, or allowed,” he warned.

 

The Authority would report directly to all levels of Government on insurance pricing on the ground, the implementation of the reinsurance pool, and recommendations for further reform.

 

“We live with the cyclones. We carry the risk. And we deserve fairness delivered in the North,” Mr Katter said.

 

Photo: Cairns Post Cartoon by Harry Bruce dated March 6^th, 2025 – Cyclone Bob