FED: Howard refused inquiry into insurance industry

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-1999
FED: Howard refused inquiry into insurance industry

A Labor frontbencher has accused Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD of ignoring the wishes of
parliament by refusing to hold an inquiry into the insurance industry.

STEPHEN MARTIN won cross-party support in December for a motion calling for a parliamentary
inquiry into insurance.

But Mr HOWARD wrote to him last week, saying that such an inquiry would be premature.

Mr MARTIN says a far-reaching inquiry is important for Wollongong residents still waiting
for insurance companies to make pay outs four months after record storms.

He says Mr HOWARD doesn't listen to his own backbenchers, who voted for the inquiry.

Mr HOWARD says the Insurance Council of Australia is working with governments at all levels
to address problems raised by the Wollongong disaster.

AAP RTV rmg/mfh/kbw/

KEYWORD: FLOOD (CANBERRA)

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