Conference Program
Day 1 - Thu 9 Oct
Sponsor Booth Set-Up
Registration Open - Tea - Coffee
Rebuilding Trust Insurance
One of the great tragedies is the erosion of trust by the public whether it be government, corporations, our places of worship to wonderful organisations of the past like the boy scouts, right down to dishonest professional athletes and umpires in sport.
In today’s world it is much harder for dishonest behaviour to remain hidden and it is clearly worse to try and cover something up than to admit a mistake bearing in mind mistakes /errors in judgement etc happen: no one is error free.
Unlike so many other industries/professions, it was established that for general insurance to work there has to be good faith on the part of all parties to the contract.
Despite this, insurance all around the world is one of the most heavily regulated industries there is. This adds greatly to the cost and can and does lead to exaggerated claims.
This session will delve into this issue and how regulation such as the Insurance Contracts Act, General Insurance Code of Practice and the Broker Code of Practice all push for trust and fair dealing.
10 Minute Break
Emerging personal injury trends in Australia: through the lens of medical negligence and public liability claims
The presenters will examine emerging trends in medical negligence and public liability claims, how best to investigate and mitigate the consequences and the importance of preserving privilege over early investigative material.
Morning Tea - Sponsored by CGU
An introduction to negotiation and decision-making (part 1)
Join Steve Manning for an interactive session on negotiation. Through a hands-on group activity and a review of academic research, you'll gain the confidence and tools to master effective strategies and approach any negotiation with success. Together we'll explore practical strategies and techniques you can use right away.
10 Minute Break
An introduction to negotiation and decision-making (part 2)
Join Steve Manning for an interactive session on negotiation. Through a hands-on group activity and a review of academic research, you'll gain the confidence and tools to master effective strategies and approach any negotiation with success. Together we'll explore practical strategies and techniques you can use right away.
Lunch - Sponsored by Johns Lyng Group
Clarity builds confidence: how transparency drives better underwriting & client outcomes
Insurance can feel complex and confusing, but clarity changes everything. We will explore the power of open and honest exchange of information in creating positive client outcomes. When we lift the curtain on how underwriting works, clients feel informed, respected, and empowered to make better choices. Transparency not only reduces uncertainty but also strengthens relationships and improves outcomes for everyone involved. Through real stories and practical lessons, this presentation shows how clear communication and shared understanding transform underwriting from a hidden process into a trusted partnership. The result is greater confidence, more accurate underwriting, and better long-term outcomes, sharing an aligned objective to protect the client's financial well-being.
10 Minute Break
The duty of good faith from insurer (broker) to client/claimant
This presentation will examine the regulatory and ethical obligations on all parties to an insurance transaction. From policy inception to claims finalisation. Where does the duty to be honest and frank start and finish and if it is breached what are the consequences. Bring any question you may have on these issues along.
Afternoon Tea - Sponsored by QBE
Establishing transparency in restoration Costing: From Engagement to Execution
Sedgwick presents a comprehensive overview of restoration cost management, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making. This session explores the impact of technician qualifications, equipment standards, and drying methodologies on cost outcomes. It highlights the importance of clear scope definition, quality documentation, and moisture mapping in achieving efficient and effective restoration. Attendees will gain practical insights into identifying inefficiencies, validating scopes, and navigating industry standards. Designed to support professionals managing restoration claims, this presentation empowers stakeholders to make confident, evidence-based decisions that balance cost control with quality outcomes.
10 Minute Break
The Importance of Quality Underwriting Submissions
"Help me, Help YOU"
Tom Cruise, Jeremy McGuire
No truer words have been spoken when thinking about the tri-partite relationship, we as Brokers, have to manage as the intermediary for our Clients into the Insurance Market. Not only do quality underwriting submissions ultimately mean we have engaged our clients in a trusting advisory and inquisitive way that cements relationships, but developed a true understanding of our clients’ risks, needs and drivers, allowing us to negotiate effectively with the market.
There are so many factors when negotiating for our clients that are outside our control – Macro-economics, changes in appetite, global losses and the list goes on – but how we engage with our clients and thereby, present their stories and risk to the market, is largely a process we can control, and is our duty to all parties in the transaction.
The hard market brought stricter underwriting requirements and the soft market may have changed the terms, but the underwriting requirements remain the same, so join us to discuss the opportunities, the challenges and the non-negotiables to maximise your reputation as both an advisor and a deal-maker.
YIP's Cocktail Function at Sandbar, Mindil Beach Casino Resort, Gilruth Ave, The Gardens NT 0820
Day 2 - Fri 10 Oct
Registration Open - Tea - Coffee
Business Interruption Uncovered: The Trust & Transparency Blueprint
The intention of the policy; how to set the sum insured; the difference between increase cost of working and additional increase cost of working; where additional cost of working only is suitable; the additional covers available and common pitfalls.
In the insurance industry, transparency and trust are not just ideals—they are essential pillars that uphold the entire relationship between insurers and their clients. Clear communication about the intention of a policy, how the sum insured is set, and the distinctions between various coverages fosters confidence and ensures that customers feel secure in their protection.
10 Minute Break
AI - Your Smart Buddy, Not Your Replacement
Tired of the AI hype? Let's get real.
This session is for insurance professionals who want to move past the buzzwords and tackle the real challenge: building trust in an AI-driven world. We'll explore how to navigate a mindset shift with your team, implement essential guardrails, and ensure human expertise remains at the heart of every decision.
Discover how to make AI your most valuable bUddy, not a replacement for your people. If you're ready to learn how to empower your team and transform your business with a smart, transparent approach to AI, join this session.
Morning Tea Break - Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt
The Evolving Workplace: Partnering with Employers for Proactive Risk Management
As the modern workplace continues to evolve, insurers have a critical opportunity to deepen their role as trusted partners to employers navigating an increasingly complex employment landscape. From the heightened penalties for wage underpayment and new employee entitlements under the Fair Work Act, such as the Right to Disconnect and limits on fixed-term contracts, to the High Court’s recent decision enabling damages for psychological injury arising from termination, the risks facing employers are not only growing but shifting in nature.
This session will explore how insurers can proactively support employers by embedding trust and transparency into their risk management strategies. Attendees will gain insights into current claims trends, evolving legal obligations, and the importance of early intervention. We will discuss how insurers can encourage and empower clients to seek legal advice early, settle disputes swiftly, and regularly review employment contracts
Marty Wilson Celebrity Speaker
Renowned for blending laugh-out-loud humour with evidence-based insights, Marty delivers powerful, practical strategies that help audiences embrace change with energy and confidence. His style is engaging, relatable, and unforgettable—making him the perfect choice to explore this year’s theme of Transparency and Trust.
Wrap Up Bar - Sponsored by Gallagher and Lunch Sponsored by GIO
2025 NT Insurance Conference Gala Awards Dinner - Darwin Convention Centre - Cocktail sponsored by Altius
Day 1 - Thu 9 Oct
Sponsor Booth Set-Up
Registration Open - Tea - Coffee
R.E.S.P.E.C.T: Building transparency and trust in the wake of workplace misconduct
In the aftermath of a year marked by rising psychological claims linked to bullying, discrimination, and harassment, this session explores how organisations can move beyond reactive compliance to proactive cultural transformation. Two years on from the Respect@Work legislative reforms and the introduction of positive legal duties, we examine the tangible impact on workplaces—and the evolving expectations around transparency and trust.
10 Minute Break
A claim I will never forget | Schwartz Panel
Allianz have partnered with the Schwartz Centre for Compassionate Healthcare to drive connection, trust, compassion and shared experience across our personal injury division…. Join this session to be part of the experience. The Schwartz Panel will offer participants an opportunity to kick off their conference experience by stepping back from the fast pace of work to openly and honestly discuss the social and emotional impacts they face in caring for customers.
Morning Tea - Sponsored by CGU
Maintaining transparency & trust between brokers, insurers, and employers throughout the claims process
Insurance brokers play an important part in compensation claims as advisors and managers of the employer's policy, but their access to claims information and ability to facilitate the claims process can be conditional. Join us as we explore the privacy concerns raised in Western Australia in 2024, how it was navigated and the cascading effect tightening privacy provisions may have on the flow of information between brokers, insurers, and stakeholders in the future.
10 Minute Break
How insurer-led partnerships can create shared value in workers’ compensation claims
This presentation will illustrate how insurer-led partnerships with trusted experts can deliver genuine benefit for all stakeholders within the claim ecosystem.Workers' compensation claims outcomes are optimised when workers successfully recover from injury and return to work. Unfortunately, individuals within compensable schemes are prone to poor health outcomes and often feel unsupported throughout their recovery journey. CGU's workers' compensation claims program strives for healthier workers and more productive Australian employers. It's bespoke suite of initiatives, designed through collaboration between CGU's expert people and partners, builds transparency and a shared commitment to supporting worker health and recovery.
Lunch - Sponsored by Johns Lyng Group
Inside the minds of Australia’s workplaces
Exploring the Mental Health white paper, commissioned by EML and developed in collaboration with Monash University, presents a comprehensive analysis of mental health in Australian workplaces. Drawing on national datasets, it reveals rising psychological injury claims, systemic risk factors, and industry-specific vulnerabilities. Central to its findings is the urgent need for transparent, data-driven strategies that foster trust between employers and employees. By highlighting the human and economic costs of mental ill-health, the paper advocates for compassionate leadership, early intervention, and tailored support systems. EML's initiatives, including mobile case management, exemplify how transparency and trust can transform recovery outcomes and build resilient, mentally healthy workplaces.
10 Minute Break
Managing pre-existing personality profiles in the RTW process
Using a facilitated discussion approach, Natalie will examine different personality traits in return to work and explore how they influence recovery, motivation, and engagement. The critical question will be considered: are we managing the individual or the injury?
Afternoon Tea - Sponsored by QBE
Neurodiversity and disability, the truth be told.
In the medico-legal setting, how much truth is required? What impacts does the truth have? There is an expectation for doctors and health professionals to be truthful in order to uphold the ethics of our conduct. Is there the same expectation for the patient to be truthful? This presentation invites you to discuss some of the pitfalls of current neurodiversity diagnoses in the workplace, the correlation with disability and the impacts of these 'truths'.
10 Minute Break
Ethics in the grey area: transparency and trust vs. litigation advantage
This presentation will explore the ethical complexities faced by insurers when managing workers compensation claims in the Northern Territory. It examines the "grey areas" where trust with a claimant is required to be balanced against the legal rights conferred on an insurer. Demonstrating transparency with a claimant can support better engagement and outcomes, but what happens when doing so doesn't align with litigation strategy? What happens when that transparency may just compromise the insurer's position in Court?
YIP's Cocktail Function at Sandbar, Mindil Beach Casino Resort, Gilruth Ave, The Gardens NT 0820
Day 2 - Fri 10 Oct
Registration Open - Tea - Coffee
Why trust and transparency matter in medicine
Having served extensively in the Australian Defence Force, Dr Myers has faced situations where rapid decision-making and clinical precision were paramount. In civilian medicine, apart from his technical expertise, Dr Myers is recognised for his ability to connect with patients; building trust through openness and authenticity. In this session, he will share insights into making critical decisions under pressure while maintaining the patient's trust. He will explore how transparency and genuine connection builds rapport with patients, and why these qualities are essential to modern medical practice and the delivery of safe, ethical care.
10 Minute Break
Building trust across cultures
Building trust between stakeholders is a key element of effective return to work. Building trust across cultures is equally vital—especially in diverse regions like the Northern Territory, where cultural safety and transparency shape recovery outcomes. This presentation, led by Rebecca Carrati a First Nations Registered psychologist and Senior Consultant at PeopleSense by Altius, explores how personal injury professionals can foster trust through culturally informed, trauma-aware practice. Drawing on Indigenous perspectives and real-world examples, it offers practical tools for navigating cultural differences, addressing systemic barriers, and co-designing recovery pathways. Attendees will leave with insights into relational accountability, inclusive communication, and the psychology of being heard—essential foundations for trust in recovery.
Morning Tea Break - Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt
Workers' Compensation: Tasting notes
Pour a glass and join Duncan McConnel SC and Shane Thurwald as they guide you through a curated “wine flight” of recent Northern Territory workers’ compensation cases. From the unblended white of Cigobia v Greyhound to the structured chardonnay of Woods v NTA, the dual-source semillon of Kumar v Jassal, and the complex blends of Khail, Rust and Yao, each decision offers its own bouquet of insights. This session will leave delegates with a refined palate for statutory interpretation, procedural fairness, and appellate flavour notes shaping the future of workers' compensation law in the Northern Territory.
Marty Wilson Celebrity Speaker
Renowned for blending laugh-out-loud humour with evidence-based insights, Marty delivers powerful, practical strategies that help audiences embrace change with energy and confidence. His style is engaging, relatable, and unforgettable—making him the perfect choice to explore this year’s theme of Transparency and Trust.