(1)  The insurance companies, for the financial year commencing on 1 July 1995 and for each subsequent financial year, must contribute the prescribed amount towards the operating costs of brigades, being operating costs that are included in the Commission's estimates for the relevant financial year and approved by the Minister.

(2)  For the purposes of subsection (1) , the prescribed amount, in respect of a financial year to which that subsection applies, is taken to be 10%, or if another percentage is prescribed by the regulations, that other percentage, of the total premium income payable to insurance companies in respect of the prescribed classes of insurance during that financial year, which in either case is to be exclusive of any goods and services tax paid in respect of the relevant premium.

(3)  For the purposes of subsection (2) , the total premium income payable to insurance companies does not include any premium payable to insurance companies in respect of the prescribed classes of insurance of property of a prescribed person or body.