Felix Ellis says TasInsure legislation a reality in first 100 days of re-election

The Liberals have released a legislation timeline for TasInsure, with one MP saying the scheme will then face public scrutiny. What we know.

Liberal MP Felix Ellis says TasInsure will save Tassie's thousands. Picture: Alison Foletta

The Liberal Party continues to push TasInsure despite Labor calling out a lack of public scrutiny.

On Saturday, Liberal minister Felix Ellis announced if re-elected, the Liberal government would introduce legislation required to set up TasInsure in the first 100 days.

Mr Ellis said it would mean Tasmanians would have access to TasInsure by 2026.

“That’s an exciting thing for our community that are feeling the cost of living pressures,” he said.

Liberal minister Felix Ellis speaks to the media at Ulverstone on Monday, June 9, 2025.

The Liberals’ TasInsure, a Tasmanian-owned insurance company, would mean it wouldn’t be influenced by mainland issues like natural disasters and could save Tasmanians small businesses up to 20 per cent on their insurance and households around $250.

Launceston’s Rupert and Hound business owner Karen Burberry said insurance was a huge impact on business.

“My biggest fear for the hospitality businesses and all businesses in Tasmania at the moment is that they’re under insured because of escalating costs,” she said.

“We pay so much in insurance, to be able to be backed by a Tasmanian-owned insurance company would mean a significant saving for myself and every other business in Tasmania.”

Ms Burberry said her insurance continues to go up – last financial year she paid an eye-watering $250,000 in insurance for her business.

“We’ve seen nothing short of probably 40 per cent increase in our insurance costs since 2021,” she said.

Liberal MP Simon Wood, Rupert and Hound owner Karen Burberry and Liberal MP Felix Ellis on the benefits of TasInsure. Picture: Alison Foletta

Ms Burberry said it wasn’t just businesses, homes were also underinsured and the increases were hitting families doing it tough.

Mr Ellis said TasInsure had been backed by The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Tasmanian Hospitality Association.

Labor candidate Luke Martin pointed out a lack of a business case and public scrutiny over TasInsure.

“We’ll be delivering legislation in the first 100 days to make sure TasInsure is a reality,” Mr Ellis said.

“It will, of course, be working through the usual public scrutiny processes just like we do with every major reform.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff defended a lack of business case for the TasInsure, saying it was to avoid early insight.

Originally published as Felix Ellis says TasInsure legislation a reality in first 100 days of re-election