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Leader calls for boycott of Elders Insurance after failed flood claim
by stephen hagan
Kerry Blackman, CEO of Gidarjil Development Corporation has shared his disappointment in the treatment his organisation has received from one of Australia’s major Insurance agencies. “My company has been insured with Elders for almost 10 years and during that time we’ve invested approximately $200k in insuring our properties,” Mr Blackman told First Nations Telegraph. Gidarjil Development Corporation is an Aboriginal owned and managed corporation who have held their insurance with Elders specialist
“one-stop” shop for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Communities Package insurance for almost 10 years. “For that kind of money … that includes cover for cyclone damage, we expected to have prompt attention by approved builders to get our homes livable again to alleviate stress on families who have literally lost everything. “So how do you think we felt when we’ve had nothing but excuses from Elders to our claim and still, months after the damage caused from Clyclone Oswald, we wait for our properties to be fixed.” Mr Blackman said his organisation has
three properties in North Bundaberg, the worse affected area in the central Queensland township. “Gidarjil Development Corporation has made at least 20 phone calls and sent many emails to enquire about the insurance claim,” Mr Blackman said. Exasperated in Elders for their failure to honour his organisation’s claim Mr Blackman sought a quote from a rival brokerage firm in Bundaberg and was surprised that it was $5000 cheaper. “We not only feel devastated by Elders’ refusal to honour our claim but we also feel totally ripped off by the difference in the cost
Kerry Blackman
of Elders and our new insurer,” Mr Blackman said. “There are many Aboriginal Corporations who would be in the same boat as we now find ourselves when it comes time for Insurance companies like Elders to pay out on claims.”
Flood damage to the properties of Gidarjil Development Corporation. Families have lost everything. Images supplied
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Mr Blackman, a former ATSIC Commissioner and staunch Native Title advocate told First Nations Telegraph he would spread the word to other Aboriginal corporations with assets requiring insurance. “I would encourage all the other Aboriginal Corporations to vote with their feet in much the same way as the Federal Government continues to tell the public if they’re not happy with bank interest rates – to shop around for a better deal elsewhere,” Mr Blackman said. First Nations Telegraph was unsuccessful in gaining a response from Elders Bundaberg to
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Mr Blackman’s claims. They instead referred our enquiry onto QBE in Sydney. First Nations Telegraph received the following response this morning from a QBE Australia spokesperson: “QBE is awaiting a hydrology report before it can make a final decision on this claim. This report is expected to be delivered to us early next week and a decision will be made on the insured’s claim within 48 hours of the receipt of the report. We understand the frustration experienced by the insured and hope to resolve this next week.” We will report on the outcome of the hydrology
Residents lost everything in their homes. Image supplied
report and whether Gidarjil insurance claims will be processed as soon
as information is made available.