Media Release
Queenslanders launch coalition to save our CTP scheme
22 July 2020
Cyclists, motorcyclists, unions, allied health professionals, community groups and lawyers are today launching a state-wide campaign to save Queensland’s CTP scheme.
The Save Our CTP Coalition is being launched in Townsville today and is seeking the support of all Queenslanders to protect legal rights for road users in Queensland’s CTP insurance scheme after the next election.
The Save Our CTP Coalition has been formed to fight back against moves from big insurers, namely RACQ and Suncorp, to overhaul the State’s CTP scheme to remove common law rights.
Save Our CTP Coalition spokesperson Rene Flores said Queensland had one of the best and most affordable CTP schemes in Australia, and all Queenslanders needed to be concerned about attempts by RACQ and Suncorp to overhaul the scheme.
“Queensland’s CTP scheme is the most affordable CTP scheme on the Australian mainland,” Mr Flores said.
“It delivers financial protection for road users and is highly regarded as being economically strong, stable and well-governed as well as being fair to those injured on our roads.
“Yet despite this, RACQ and Suncorp want to change our scheme to a scheme that will better boost insurer profits, including wanting to change our scheme from an at-fault scheme to a no-fault scheme.
“Changing our CTP scheme to a no-fault scheme will mean all road users will pay more and insurers will have more control over compensation for injured people, without oversight from the courts.
“It is also the case that in every state in mainland Australia where no-fault schemes exist that road users pay more. For example, in NSW drivers pay $533.38 for premiums, compared to Queensland where drivers pay $359.20.
“Insurers are the only winners out of no-fault schemes – they cost more but leave road users worse off, while profits for insurers increase further.'
“That’s why we are today launching the Save Our CTP Coalition and our community campaign, to build public support to defend Queensland’s CTP scheme.
“We are also seeking a clear position from all major political parties when it comes to protecting our CTP scheme.
“We have already secured a commitment from the Palaszczuk Government not to restrict legal rights for injured road users, and we are now asking for the same commitment from all political parties.
“This is a key question for all parties – are they on the side of injured road users who want to protect our fair and affordable scheme or are they on the side of insurers who will give us a scheme that costs more and hits the hip pocket of every Queensland road user?” he said.
Members of the Save Our CTP Coalition include:
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
Shine Lawyers
Slater & Gordon Lawyers
Queensland Police Union
Bicycle Queensland
Triathlon Queensland
Ulysses Club
The Australian Workers’ Union
SDA Queensland
Therapy Solutions
Rail, Tram and Bus Union and the Transport Workers’ Union