I managed to find a fix for the broken start insert..
It took me a while but I came up with a usable solution, primitive but works..
Here is how I did it..
In the first pic you will see the broken claws under the insert..

Next was to cut a piece of drinking straw the length of the claws ...

Then glued it in like so...

Then using a piece of clear plastic like used in packaging, (thin and firm) drill a hole slightly bigger than the stem of the star.

Cut it into a circle and cut a across to the center hole...

Slip it over the end of the star shaft like a cir-clip, finally you have a fixed start insert... :)

Works like a charm and hopefully help someone else out that gets into this situation.
Cheers: Brettski... :)