CALI urges Govt to act on genetic testing legislation

The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) has accepted the Federal Government’s recommitment to introducing legislation to ban the use of genetic test results in life insurance underwriting, following two years of government-industry collaboration.

A statement from the life insurance association said the government’s promise of a five-year review is much welcomed, as life insurers have continued to support the “responsible” use of genetic testing to ensure Australians are properly covered and secure in their health.

“Australians need certainty. No one should be deterred from taking genetic tests that help them to better manage their health,” CALI chief executive, Christine Cupitt, said.

“Life insurers want to support Australians to manage their health in a preventative way and recognise that genetic testing plays an important part in empowering them to do so.

“Australians want the Government to legislate, and so does our industry. We need legislation to remove uncertainty in the community.”

The calls for fast-tracked legislation to regulate the use of genetic test results in underwriting follows a “mandatory industry standard” introduced by the life insurers in 2019.

“A lot has changed since our industry standard was introduced. Given the advancements in the science and accessibility of genetic testing, now is the time for the Government to act and legislate,” Cupitt said.