We have written elsewhere about the Medical Defence Union and the cover it may or may not give to a member in the event of a judgment against the member for professional negligence.
It appears in Australia, a professional is obliged to insure him or herself (ie, membership of something like MDU is not sufficient).
Furthermore, MDU is in a postion to offer insurance. In such a case it will be unable to deny indemnity on the basis of the ‘discretionary’? right it reserves in respect of members’ claims.
There is no justification for any scheme, other than a contract of insurance, for a profesisonal person, to reassure the public that their just claims will be met, unlike the situation shown here.