AALARA’s first Roadshow event addresses key industry issues with update on moves to establish discretionary mutual fund

April 22, 2021

The first in a series of three industry Roadshow events presented by the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) has seen presentations and discussions on a range of matters impacting the attractions sector including standards harmonisation, industry performance, claims management and, an issue that emerged repeatedly during the day, the insurance crisis and moves to address it.

With uncertainties surrounding potential delegate movement and border shutdowns, AALARA is this year hosting single day 'roadshow' events rather its multi-day annual industry conference.

Yesterday’s first event at Luna Park Sydney included presentations and information sharing on how such uncertainty his impacted the attractions sector through the Coronavirus crisis and subsequent easing.

As identified in a presentation by NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, there are considerable positives in the sector, with the Dine and Discover program largely welcomed by NSW operators, a successful 2021 Sydney Royal Easter Show and events and tourism thriving in regional NSW.

However, discussions during the day revealed a virtual ‘two speed’ industry, with some sectors flourishing while others face potentially business-ending challenges.

Presentations
Among presentations, lawyer Carlie Holt of Sparke Helmore addressed legal issues around claims while Greg O'Neill, Director of Amusement Rides Australia, AALARA Board Director and Past President and International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Lifetime Service Award winner address moves to harmonise global safety standards for amusement rides and see them adopted in Australia.

Pointing out that Australia doesn’t have the scale or expertise to management such a standard, O’Neill advised “we are not in that league so need to rely on international expertise.”

Highlighting that Australia is the only country in the world to “cage a Ferris Wheel and crash test a go kart”, he compared that level of regulation with how ski lifts work at Australian winter resorts.

The Roadshow also included a panel of industry leaders sharing their experiences on post lockdown operations.

Insurance and AALARA’s move to establish a discretionary mutual fund
With PEN Underwriting (owned by Arthur J Gallagher Insurance brokers) reportedly having ceased offering or renewing insurance for the industry in the last week, the crisis in insurance was frequently referenced during the Roadshow.

Updating delegates on AALARA’s moves to establish a discretionary mutual fund (DMF) for members and the industry, Deb Gibson, Client Director at insurers Aon, explained how they are used as a “response to a shared challenge” and have been widely adopted in local government, the motor trade and the education sector.

With AALARA having made its case on the need for Federal Government support to start the DMF in Canberra recently, the Association is currently seeking member support for the initiative.

With further updates to follow in the coming weeks, AALARA is emphasising that it needs members to complete the surveys on the DMF as they are distributed.

Australasian Leisure Management was among supporters of the event.

The next AALARA Roadshow events are being held at Luna Park Melbourne on Wednesday 5th May 2021 and at the Sea World Resort Conference Centre on the Gold Coast on Wednesday 12th May.

Click here for information on AALARA's Melbourne and Gold Coast Roadshows and other attractions sector events in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

21st April 2021 - Ardent Leisure promotes Greg Yong as Theme Park Division Chief Executive

21st April 2021 - Victorian Government releases $633 million ‘roadmap’ funding to boost tourism and major events

14th April 2021 - Victorian Parliamentary inquiry into tourism and events support hears plea to save ‘industry in crisis’

12th April 2021 - Failure to secure insurance see Australia’s last circus with exotic animals move to retire its lions and monkeys

2nd April 2021 - Save Victorian Events highlight Bluesfest cancellation as confirmation of need for Governments to back event cancellation insurance

30th March 2021 - Federal Government accused of ‘abandoning’ events industry as JobKeeper ends

24th March 2021 - AALARA presents need for Federal Government backing for insurance crisis resolution at Canberra meetings

24th March 2021 - Sydney Showground gets approval to host up to 60,000 people a day for the Royal Easter Show

19th March 2021 - Event industry suppliers circle Victorian Parliament in protest at lack of state government support

14th March 2021 - Television documentary to explore conspiracy theories and rumours surrounding tragic 1979 Ghost Train fire at Luna Park Sydney

25th February 2021 - AALARA to replace single annual conference with one-day events in Sydney, Melbourne and on the Gold Coast

19th February 2021 - Queensland theme parks cut opening hours as guest numbers decline

26th January 2021 - Village Roadshow Theme Parks’ Michael Croaker launches Park Life podcast

30th December 2020 - AALARA releases ‘urgent request for the survival of our industry’

18th November 2020 - AALARA takes action as attractions operators face public liability issues

27th May 2020 - AALARA releases guide for the reopening of Australia’s attractions industry

21st November 2019 - Greg O’Neill presented with IAAPA Lifetime Service Award

21st February 2017 - New Waterborne Inflatables Standard released

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