Queensland motorists are about to take another financial hit, with at least $60 to be added annually to the cost of compulsory third party insurance, as the government works to bring the state in line with a national scheme in place in every other state.
The state was signed up to the National Injury Insurance Scheme under the Newman government in 2013, when it signed up to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
While it didn't get as much publicity as the NDIS, the NIIS aims to cover motorists, passengers and pedestrians injured in vehicle crashes where no one is deemed to be at fault.
The CTP insurance scheme is fault-based, meaning if nobody is deemed to be at fault - such as a single-vehicle motorcycle crash where the driver hits a road slick - they are not eligible for a payout.
A parliamentary committee has reviewed the scheme and government committee members recommended Queensland implement a hybrid model, which combines the no-fault statutory scheme with the ability for people to sue under common law.
That will add about $76 to the cost of CTP insurance each year. A second option, the straight no-fault statutory scheme, would add about $60 to the insurance component of registration.
With the scheme needing to be in place by July 1, it's understood the legislation to make the change will be introduced into Parliament next week.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt said he was in discussions with the crossbenchers, who hold the balance of power in the state's Parliament, but hoped to get bipartisan support.
"Each week about three people suffer catastrophic injuries as a result of trauma on our roads," he said.
"Around half of those people who sustain injuries are not covered by compulsory third party insurance.
"CTP is a fault-based scheme where a motorist is deemed to be at fault and if nobody is at fault, they are not covered.
"That's why we've got a very important piece of legislation that will be coming to the Queensland Parliament to help implement and enact the national injury insurance scheme.
"... Both options will come at a cost to Queensland motorists but both options will cover motorists for lifetime care and support for themselves and for their loved ones."
The Queensland Law Society supports the option which includes the ability to sue under common law.
Last year, registration increased by twice the rate of inflation, with the cost of registering a four-cylinder car rising by $12, taking the cost to $340, while registering an eight-cylinder car rose by $23 to $693 annually.
The government said the rise was pegged to the government indexation policy and paid for "vital" road infrastructure.
The RACQ rated Queensland as the most expensive place in Australia to own a car last year.
This story first appeared on brisbanetimes.com.au
