IBANZ is formalising its advocacy work into a focused programme with defined priorities and more accountability. For members, that means better visibility of how the profession’s voice is being represented and more opportunity to contribute front line examples and experiences. From a practical sense, all IBANZ advocacy positions will be available in one document: the IBANZ Briefing Paper. The Briefing Paper will be launched via IBANZ News in mid-2026.
Advocacy has long been part of IBANZ’s work on behalf of members. The programme is currently being refreshed with the IBANZ board recently approving an updated advocacy programme with clearer priorities and greater accountability. For members, it will mean a better line of sight between the issues affecting brokers every day and the work IBANZ is doing with Government, regulators and other decision-makers to positively influence policy, legislation and regulation.
We all know that the environment brokers operate in is becoming more demanding: Natural hazard risk, legislative and regulatory change, insurance affordability, and accessibility concerns and rapid technology changes all mean we’re in an environment where advocacy cannot sit still, according to IBANZ Chief Executive Katherine Wilson. “Now, more than ever, we need to make sure we are focusing on the right things and are disciplined about raising our key issues with the right audiences in order to achieve the right outcomes.”
Wilson believes advocacy is an important way that IBANZ delivers value for members. “By putting more structure around this work, we are making our priorities clearer and giving members a better view of where we are focusing our efforts and why.”
We want members to see advocacy as something they have a stake in and can help shape. Their experience on the ground is what gives our advocacy its practical value and credibility.
IBANZ Katherine Wilson
Three priorities, one advocacy programme
The IBANZ advocacy programme is built around three priorities: improving readiness for natural hazards, supporting accessibility and affordability of insurance through fairer regulation and tax settings, and protecting the quality of insurance advice. Those priorities reflect both the pressures on the profession and the areas where IBANZ believes it can make the most constructive contribution.
Natural hazard readiness
Brokers are increasingly working in an environment where hazard information is fragmented across multiple sources, including council data, public agencies and insurer systems. IBANZ is advocating for a centralised data platform that consolidates natural hazard information such as flooding, seismic risks, and coastal erosion to enable greater transparency and comparability. On the issue of Section 72 notices,
IBANZ believes there should also be a centralised register of affected properties to increase awareness of these notices and the impact they can have on insurance cover.
Accessibility and affordability
Consumers need access to insurance that remains both available and understandable. Brokers need systems that are workable and proportionate. Government policy, levy settings and legislative design can have significant downstream effects on both. IBANZ’s advocacy in this area is focused on fairer settings that support a competitive and functioning market, while recognising the pressures facing households and businesses. This includes advocating for an alternative collection method than the FENZ Levy that disconnects it from insurance, and exploring alternative financial models for the NHI Levy.
Quality of insurance advice
Insurance advice sits within a regulated framework and depends on trust, competence and practical judgement. IBANZ’s advocacy is focused on making sure that framework remains workable and supports high standards in practice. That includes engaging on the implementation of legislative change, the practical operation of conduct regulation and the risks created when consumers rely on unregulated sources of financial or insurance guidance. Good consumer outcomes depend on access to sound advice from qualified professionals operating in a system that is clear and fit for purpose.
Making advocacy more visible
Wilson says the programme refresh will make advocacy more visible to members. “A lot of advocacy work happens behind the scenes through submissions, engagement and discussions with policymakers and regulators. Members should be able to see more clearly how that work connects back to the issues affecting the work they do and the profession as a whole.”
Advocacy can be easy to overlook when it is done properly as it’s often cumulative rather than dramatic. Wilson says the work of advocacy often sits in the fine print. “It’s policy design, legislative detail, and implementation settings. Members don’t see every meeting or every submission, but they experience the practical fixes that make regulation more workable or the consequences when professional expertise is absent from decision-making.”
Advocacy is a core IBANZ membership benefit. Alongside professional development and representation for the sector, IBANZ works to influence the broader environment in which brokers operate. “The more clearly IBANZ can articulate its priorities, the more effectively it can engage with Government, regulators and industry stakeholders.”
Wilson is also signaling an opportunity for more member input into the advocacy programme.
“We want members to see advocacy as something they have a stake in and can help shape. Their experience on the ground is what gives our advocacy its practical value and credibility. We’ll be asking members to be more actively involved in this work by contributing practical evidence and case studies.”
Strong advocacy depends on member input - so watch this space for your opportunity to get involved.
