CALI responded to Treasury’s consultation on the draft bill banning the use of predictive genetic tests in life insurance underwriting. We have consistently supported and advocated for this legislation.
We recognise that predictive genetic testing can play an important role in giving people peace of mind and supporting them to reduce potential health risks, and we consider that the legislation, as currently drafted, fully aligns with the policy objective of the ban.
In particular, we welcome:
- the preservation of the critical need for life insurers to be able to ask about and assess information about an individual’s current state of health and any clinically diagnosed medical conditions and any treatment, irrespective of whether that diagnosis was made through a genetic test;
- the preservation of life insurers’ ability to collect family medical history, in accordance with the provisions of the Life Insurance Code of Practice;
- the ability of customers to voluntarily disclose favourable genetic test results; and
- the mandatory five-year review periods and subordinated regulation-making powers to ensure that the legislation can keep pace with advances in genomic science and genetic testing.