New South Wales

by Alexandra Bartlett, Branch President

After the end of a busy year, AILA NSW will wrap up with its 40th anniversary celebration and AGM.

I wish all members the best for the upcoming festive season and look forward to seeing you all at our various events in the new year.

Victoria

by Darren Ferrari, Branch President

After all the build up, AIDA’s World Insurance Congress was a smashing success.

The Victorian committee would like to congratulate the organisers of WICA2023 and the various associated events. For me, the highlight was seeing the crowd at the gala dinner. It was fantastic to see so many people in person, something that has been difficult in Melbourne, given Covid-19 restrictions.

The Victorian branch has continued it close relationship with the state’s community of loss adjusters. To this end, AILA and AICLA organised a seminar discussing various issues surrounding property and liability insurance claims in strata schemes. The Le Meridien room was packed to hear from Vincent Norton-Scott, Brendan Ames and Greg Carfoot. Many thanks to the panel and to Fabienne Loncar for ably chairing and directing a lively discussion.

It was also fantastic to see so many people attend AILA’s 40th anniversary drinks at Slate Rooftop Bar.

Coming up on Wednesday 21 February 2024, the Victorian Branch AGM will be back to an in-person event at the RACV Club. It will be a great night to again connect with the Victorian insurance law community. I look forward to seeing you there.

Tasmania

by Lisa Rankin, Branch President

In August, the annual Workers’ Compensation Masterclass saw about 180 delegates attend a half-day conference at Crowne Plaza.

Many thanks to the sub-committee of Kate Stockford, Zach Blayden, Luke Taylor, Mike Valentine and Pierre Dordhain for making it such a success.

On Friday 20 October we celebrated AILA’s 40th birthday in style at Franklin Wharf. It was a great event and a testament to the positive impact AILA has had in the insurance industry over the last 40 years.

A final webinar ended the year on 22 November discussing digital footprints and the use of online information in the litigation process.

I thank the Tasmanian committee for all their hard work in another successful year for AILA.

Queensland

By Alexandra King, Secretary

The latter half of 2023 has been a busy one for AILA’s Queensland Branch.

In May, we welcomed attendees to the 2023 Qld Insurance Intensive, Insurance awakens, at the Calile Hotel. Keynote speaker Patrick Keane AC, former Justice of the High Court and former Chief Justice of the Federal Court, discussed how the industry must prepare for uncertainty, as insured risks become unusually perilous. The intensive was attended by more than 60 members and guests.  

In June, barristers Kevin Holyoak and Rebecca Bassano presented part three of the vicarious liability series. The webinar had more than 100 delegates registered and offered an in-depth analysis of vicarious liability for non-employees, including volunteers.

In August, more than 60 members and guests attended the northern update breakfast seminar, presented by Andrew Philp KC and Gerry O’Driscoll. We discussed the latest decisions and procedural trends emerging from Qld’s central and northern jurisdiction.

We celebrated AILA turning 40 at The Grove, and we believe the sunshine state has never looked better. Attendees were joined by Cameron Roberts, from Thomson Geer, AILA’s immediate past president; Alison Haly, mediator and principal of Haly & Co; and former Qld Supreme Court judge and Qld Civil and Administrative Tribunal president Martin Daubney AM with lovely remarks. We were pleased to celebrate this milestone with members and friends in Qld.