The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to enable a number of separate legal entities within the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) to collectively negotiate, procure and maintain insurance products and services. The ACCC proposes to grant authorisation for six years.
The Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly by UCA Assembly Limited (UCANA) is seeking authorisation for the establishment of a National Insurance Program (NIP). The NIP will operate as a vehicle through which the separate legal entities within the UCA would collectively negotiate, procure and maintain insurance and insurance-related products and services for the primary purpose of indemnifying and protecting the assets, revenues, activities and potential legal liabilities of UCANA, and the relevant Synods (including their constituent boards, agencies, presbyteries, congregations and other groups within their care). The NIP will be established as a joint venture between UCANA and the relevant Synods, created by a 'Co-Operation Agreement'.
The ACCC considers that the collective arrangements are likely to result in public benefits, including transaction cost savings and contracts that better reflect the UCA entities’ needs following more informed negotiations with brokers. Public detriments are likely to be limited.
The ACCC now invites submissions in relation to this draft determination before making its final decision. Submissions are due by 19 August 2019, and the ACCC expects to release a final determination in September or October 2019.
Further information about the ACCC’s draft determination and UCANA's application for re-authorisation is available on the public registers at: The Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly (UCANA).