Professions Australia - A national organisation of professional associations

<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000"> <br><a href = "thecouncil.html">About Professions Australia</a><br> <a href = "branches.html">Branches & NSWCOP</a><br> <a href = "policymaterial.html">Policy Material</a><br> <a href = "knowledgenetwork.html">Knowledge Network</a><br> <a href = "alertsandnews.html">Alerts and Newsletters</a><br> <a href = "membership.html">Membership Information</a><br> <a href = "office.html">Office & Contacts</a><br> <a href = "sitesearch.html">Search</a><br> <a href = "Memberlogin.html">Member Login</a><br> <a href = "memberlogout.html">Logout</a><br> <a href = "Homepage.html">Home</a><br> <a href = "Constitution.html">Constitution</a><br> <a href = "YoungProf.html">Young Professionals</a><br> <a href = "ethicsresource.html">Ethics Resource Centre</a><br> <a href = "history.html">History</a><br> <a href = "visionrole.html">Vision and Role</a><br> <a href = "Board.html">Board</a><br> <a href = "committees.html">Committees</a><br> <a href = "mediaspeeches.html">Media, Speeches</a><br> <a href = "award.html">Professional of the Year Award</a><br> <a href = "archives.html">Archives</a><br> <a href = "NSWCOP.html">NSWCOP</a><br> <a href = "victoria.html">Victoria</a><br> <a href = "Queensland.html">Queensland</a><br> <a href = "wa.html">Western Australia</a><br> <a href = "sa.html">South Australia</a><br> <a href = "tasmania.html">Tasmania</a><br> <a href = "act.html">ACT</a><br> <a href = "competitionpolicy.html">Competition Policy</a><br> <a href = "insurance.html">Insurance</a><br> <a href = "highereducation.html">Higher Education</a><br> <a href = "other.html">Other</a><br> <a href = "knetsample.html">Knowledge Base Sample</a><br> <a href = "kbase.html">Knowledge Base</a><br> <a href = "kpeople.html">Knowledge People</a><br> <a href = "ktalk.html">Knowledge Talk</a><br> <a href = "submitkbase.html">Submit to Knowledge Base</a><br> <a href = "submitkpeople.html">Submit to Knowledge People</a><br> <a href = "alertssample.html">Alerts and News Sample</a><br> <a href = "alerts.html">Alerts</a><br> <a href = "newsletters.html">Newsletters</a><br> <a href = "subscription.html">Alerts and News Subscription</a><br> <a href = "criteria.html">Criteria</a><br> <a href = "Rates.html">Membership Rates</a><br> <a href = "member.html">Member Associations</a><br> <a href = "KBManual.html">Knowledge Base Manual</a><br> <a href = "defineprofession.html">Definition of a Profession</a><br> <a href = "KBWP.html">Knowledge Base White Papers</a><br> <a href = "ValueStatement.html">Value Statement</a><br> <a href = "Apply.html">Apply to join</a><br> <a href = "Constitutioncontinue.html">Constitution continued</a><br> <a href = "ParticReportsNov2003.html">Participant reports Roundtable Nov 2003</a><br> <a href = "latestnewsletter.html">Latest Newsletter</a><br> <a href = "bankruptcy.html">Bankruptcy legislation</a><br> <a href = "whatsnew.html">What's New</a><br> <a href = "ethicsplan.html">Ethics Action Plan</a><br> <a href = "definitionprofession.html">Definition of a Profession</a><br> <a href = "ethicscodes.html">Codes of Ethics</a><br> <a href = "ethicseducation.html">Ethics Education</a><br> <a href = "ethicsforum.html">Ethics Forum</a><br> <a href = "relatedsites.html">Related Sites</a><br> <a href = "ethicsreading.html">Reading</a><br> <a href = "ethicscasestudies.html">Ethics Case Studies</a><br> <a href = "ethicsresearch.html">Ethics Research</a><br> <a href = "CPSS.html">Competition Policy Submission (1998)</a><br> <a href = "SERC.html">Submission to Economics References Committee (May 2002)</a><br> <a href = "SSWSTTTR.html">Structured Settlements - Why support them through tax reform (May 2001)</a><br> <a href = "STTRLN.html">Submission to the Review of the Law of Negligence (August 2002)</a><br> <a href = "MRPWBI.html">Media Release: Professions want broader indemnity agenda (June 2002)</a><br> <a href = "PORM.html">Policy on Risk Management (November 1997)</a><br> <a href = "PR2001.html">AGM 2001 Presidents Address</a><br> <a href = "AFGFA.html">Professional Liability - A fair go for all - 1998</a><br> <a href = "TPPIAC.html">The Professions, Public Interest and Competition Policy (2000)</a><br> <a href = "APSUT.html">Australia's Professional Services under threat 1997</a><br> <a href = "NCPP.html">National Competition policy & the professions 1997</a><br> <a href = "DWRME.html">Dealing with risk. Managing expectations 1996</a><br> <a href = "GM2002.html">GM 2002 Presidents Speech</a><br> <a href = "AGM2002.html">AGM 2002 Presidents Address</a><br> <a href = "MediaRelease25Nov.html">Ipp Media Release</a><br> <a href = "MediaReleaseNov02.html">Professional Indemnity Insurance Crisis - media Release</a><br> <a href = "AGM1999.html">AGM President Address 1999</a><br> <a href = "SCAGMINCO.html">Submission to SCAG-MINCO 9 Dec 2002</a><br> <a href = "JCCV.html">John Castles CV</a><br> <a href = "BGCV.html">Barry Grear CV</a><br> <a href = "DTCV.html">David Thomson CV</a><br> <a href = "VICletter.html">Victorian market failure in Professional Indemnity insurance</a><br> <a href = "CVSTP.html">Coonan's view a shock to professionals</a><br> <a href = "PBULC.html">Peak body urges liability cap</a><br> <a href = "LDRA.html">Liability decision rouses anger</a><br> <a href = "PLNHG.html">Proportionate liability is not Holy Grail</a><br> <a href = "GPAS.html">Government position appears to be shifting</a><br> <a href = "pumta.html">Professions urge ministers to act now</a><br> <a href = "tpauc.html">TPA 'undermines capping'</a><br> <a href = "mtstmt.html">Market 'too small and too much trouble'</a><br> <a href = "pimfnps.html">PI market failure needs a package solution</a><br> <a href = "cfncoll.html">Call for national cap on lawyers' liability</a><br> <a href = "POPSR.html">Policy on Professional Self-Regulation (1990)</a><br> <a href = "RDEWL.html">Role and Duties of an Expert Witness in Litigation (1998)</a><br> <a href = "107.html">Alert No 107 (29 May 03)</a><br> <a href = "1071.html">Alert No 107 Attach 0ne</a><br> <a href = "1072.html">Alert No 107 Attach Two</a><br> <a href = "1073.html">Alert No 107 Attach three- Implementation paper</a><br> <a href = "1074.html">Alert No 107 Attach Four</a><br> <a href = "Treasurer.html">Paul Meiklejohn</a><br> <a href = "Boardmemberone.html">Monica Persson</a><br> <a href = "nswcopcontacts.html">Contacts</a><br> <a href = "nswcopobjectives.html">Objectives</a><br> <a href = "nswcoppsl.html">Professional Standards Legislation</a><br> <a href = "nswcopevents.html">Events</a><br> <a href = "nswcopnletters.html">NSWCOP Newsletters</a><br> <a href = "SeptHigherEd.html">Nelson reforms miss the main point, say professions</a><br> <a href = "PSCJune03Seminar.html">NSW PSC June Seminar</a><br> <a href = "VicCPAJuly03Seminar.html">Vic CPA professional indemnity seminar, 28 July 2003</a><br> <a href = "BrisbaneHandPI.html">John Hand Brisbane PI Paper, 30 July 2003</a><br> <a href = "ICAABrisbanePaper.html">Brisbane ICAA PI paper</a><br> <a href = "PolCampaignsArticle.html">Professions Australia learns lessons on political campaigns</a><br> <a href = "AnaGovan.html">Ana Govan (information technology)</a><br> <a href = "BrigetteHall.html">Brigette Hall (minerals)</a><br> <a href = "NikkiBrennan.html">Nikki Brennan (architecture)</a><br> <a href = "NinaQuinn.html">Nina Quinn (audiology)</a><br> <a href = "LukeFraser.html">Luke Fraser (construction)</a><br> <a href = "PhilippaThomson.html">Philippa Thomson (dentistry)</a><br> <a href = "KateWest.html">Kate West (engineering)</a><br> <a href = "profcomppublic.html">Professionalism, competition policy and the public interest: Issues paper (2003)</a><br> <a href = "SenateTPAbriefing.html">Senate TPA inquiry briefing notes March 2004</a><br> <a href = "ICActReview.html">Insurance Contracts Act review key documents</a><br> <a href = "ACCCinsurancereviews.html">ACCC insurance market pricing reviews</a><br> <a href = "SenatorCoonanwebsite.html">Senator Coonan website</a><br> <a href = "InsuranceCouncil.html">Insurance Council website</a><br> <a href = "CoonanJuly2003letter.html">Letter to Coonan on timing July 2003</a><br> <a href = "MinletterMar2004.html">Letter to Ministers on timing March 2004</a><br> <a href = "MinContOutMar2004ltr.html">Letter to Ministers against contracting out (March 2004)</a><br> <a href = "12March2004update.html">Update 12 March 2004</a><br> <a href = "TPAPSLinquiry.html">Senate Committee inquiry into Trade Practices Act amendments</a><br> <a href = "AGM2003Pres.html">AGM 2003 Presidents Address</a><br> <a href = "OMNov2003Pres.html">Ordinary Meeting November 2003 Presidents Address</a><br> <a href = "HobartMediaFeb2004.html">Comments on Hobart Insurance Ministers meeting Feb 2004</a><br> <a href = "Feb2004PISurveys.html">February 2004 professional indemnity surveys</a><br> <a href = "HigherEdltrs25Sep03.html">Higher Education letters 25 Sep 2003</a><br> <a href = "HigherEdmed8Oct2003.html">Higher Ed media 8 October 2003</a><br> <a href = "HigherEdltr6Nov03.html">Higher Ed letter 6 Nov 2003</a><br> <a href = "HigherEdltrs26Nov03.html">Higher Ed letters 26 Nov 2003</a><br> <a href = "HigherEdltr30Sep03.html">Higher Ed letter 30 September 03</a><br> <a href = "HigherEdAFR13Oct03.html">Higher Education AFR Op Ed piece 13 October 03</a><br> <a href = "pasub.html">National Competition Policy Review - PA Submission (2004)</a><br> <a href = "profoftheyear.html">Announcement of 2004 Professional of the Year</a><br> <a href = "membercodes.html">Examples of Member Codes</a><br> <a href = "codeprinciples.html">Code Principles</a><br> <br><FONT face=Arial size=5><EM> <P>Professions Australia Alert No. 107: Another professional indemnity lobbying kit attached (300 kb)</FONT></EM><SPAN></P><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>(Professions Australia is a national organisation of professional associations)</FONT><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG> <P>PLEASE MAKE SURE THIS ALERT AND THE ATTACHMENTS GET DISTRIBUTED WIDELY IN YOUR ASSOCIATION. OUR SERVICE TO YOU IS ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM!</FONT></STRONG><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><U><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>The story so far</U></FONT><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>This important campaign continues, through PA, through the broader Liability Reform Steering Group and through individual associations. Our theme is that the need for reform is agreed (since the 4 April Insurance Ministers meeting) but the issue now is implementation. </P></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>Our three part solution is PSL+PL+TPA, that is, professional standards legislation, proportionate liability, and amendments to the Commonwealth Trade Practices Act. Our target date to have Acts operating in all jurisdictions is 1 January 2004. </P></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>The line-up so far is: on PSL: Yes: NSW, WA, Tas, NT; leaning Yes: SA; Uncommitted: Vic, Qld; Opposed but will probably have to fall into line if others do: ACT; on PL: Yes: all jurisdictions except SA (but we are hopeful there), but with some amendments needed in Qld and Vic.</FONT><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>Government officials from all jurisdictions are presently working to put together nationally consistent regimes on PSL and PL. The Commonwealth is committed to action on the TPA. We understand the Prime Minister supports reform and we have the option of a meeting with him. </P></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT><U><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>What is needed now</U> </P> <P>The key dates are now becoming clearer. June is crucial. While the next meeting of Insurance Ministers is not until 6 August we understand that Commonwealth Minister Coonan is seeking to nail things down with all jurisdictions by exchange of correspondence late in June, following circulation of the officials' paper to Insurance Ministers. </P></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>Meanwhile, a further round of PI premium renewals is due at the end of June, a number of State Parliaments meet during June, and, finally, we will be trying for a renewed media campaign during June.</FONT><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM> <P>The stress should be on personal contact with Members of Parliament, especially backbenchers, and especially in Victoria and Queensland. There are kits available to facilitate contact with MPs in these two States - essentially they are links to URLs where you can find addresses and details of target MPs. </P></FONT></EM><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM> <P>IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED SUCH A KIT AND NEED ONE PLEASE CONTACT US AT PA BY RETURN EMAIL, NOMINATING WHETHER YOU NEED VICTORIA OR QUEENSLAND. WE WILL TRY TO SPECIFY WHICH MPs NEED THE MOST ATTENTION.</FONT></EM><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>We are relying on individual professional associations to take initiatives to meet MPs. Some associations may wish to put together joint delegations with members of other associations. </P></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>The accounting associations are mounting large campaigns, for example, and there may be scope for other professionals to team up with accountants to show how PI issues are affecting professionals both as providers of professional services and as clients of other professionals. (Like the engineer who is suffering premium hikes and policy exclusions <EM>and</EM> can't find an adequately insured accountant to audit his books.) <EM>Again, please contact PA by return email if you need any assistance in this e.g. contact details.</EM> </P></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>For those in other jurisdictions, please continue to try to keep the PI issue in the front of MPs' minds, using the attached material.</FONT><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><U><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>What you should say</U></FONT><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>We envisage that professional association members should visit MPs, accompanied as possible by council or executive members from associations. The tactic then is to present MPs with both the problem and the solution. But don't neglect other contacts, too. Attached are:</FONT><FONT size=2> </P> <UL></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <LI>Easy Guide: setting out PI issues and remedies. To hand to your contacts whose support we need. <EM>We are printing this guide in a colour booklet form, too. </EM>We recommend the booklet form for MPs, to leave it behind with the MP after you have had an appointment with him or her. Or post the booklet to an MP.<EM> PLEASE ADVISE BY RETURN EMAIL OF NUMBERS OF PRINTED BOOKLETS YOU REQUIRE.</FONT></EM><FONT size=2> </LI></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <LI>2 page Guide: A short guide to help you to refine your arguments.</FONT><FONT size=2> </LI></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM> <LI>Two</EM> short scripts (a page each) for use by those who have the ear of an MP for a couple of minutes only.</FONT><FONT size=2> </LI></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <LI>Implementation Paper: A four page paper on how a national scheme could be set up. This is to give to those who ask 'how would it be set up and administered?'.</LI></UL></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM> <P>As well as these documents, it is essential that the 'pitch to a politician' should be built around evidence of how PI problems are affecting individual members of your association and consumers, too. Collect and use 'war stories'. Preferably have the protagonist with you to talk to the MP.</FONT></EM><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM> <P>________________________</P></FONT></EM><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM> <P>Your feedback is welcomed (please reply with ‘Feedback’ and relevant number in the Subject line):</EM> </P><EM> <P>We found the above information to be: </P> <P>1. Extremely useful 2. Very useful 3. Useful 4. Fairly useful 5. Not useful at all</P></FONT></EM><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>Alerts will be issued from time to time when we think there is an item of interest to constituent organisations, branches and other interested parties. Please pass Alerts on to your members. </P> <P>Back copies of Alerts are available on our website </FONT><A href="http://www.professions.com.au/"><FONT face=Arial size=2>http://www.professions.com.au</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> to members of Professions Australia member associations.</P></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>Disclaimer: while every care is taken in preparing material for this newsletter, professional advice should be sought before relying on information included herein.</P></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> <P>Responsibility for electoral comment is accepted by David Stephens of Level 3, Colonial State Building, 161 London Circuit, Canberra, A.C.T., 2600. Postal address: GPO Box 201, Canberra, A.C.T., 2601.</P> <P>Australian Council of Professions Ltd ABN 20 059 999 914 ACN 059 999 914 </P> <P>trading as Professions Australia </FONT><A href="http://www.austprofessions.com.au/"><FONT face=Arial size=2>http://www.professions.com.au</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> </P></FONT><FONT size=2> <P> </P></FONT></SPAN> </body>