Tue, 14th Oct 2025

In this podcast, Paige Estritori outlines the key challenges Australia's food and beverage sector faces, including business interruption, lack of proper insurance, and evolving risks such as climate change and regulatory changes. She notes the rise in hospitality industry insolvencies and identifies heightened costs, rent increases, and declining consumer spending as primary factors. Small businesses, particularly those in Western Sydney, are most affected. Opposite to these challenges, QBE Insurance comes under fire from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for allegedly misleading customers about discounts. The final issue discussed is the New South Wales government's proposed ban on strata insurance commissions, provoking differing opinions from consumer advocates and industry heads. The podcast underscores the importance of ethical transparency and stability in the swiftly changing financial landscape.