The federal government will consult on the legislative design of its proposed ban on the use of genetic test results in life underwriting.

Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones says the consultations will examine key aspects of the ban, including the definition of genetic test, the rule’s enforcement and how it would be implemented.  

The consultation comes after healthcare groups accused the government of “dropping the ball” since the ban was announced last September.  

Mr Jones says “constantly evolving” genetic research is a driver of the consultations, which will “ensure this legislation captures the intent of the government’s decision and does not have unintended consequences. Delivering this reform requires consideration of technical details of the legislation, which aren’t easily adapted from other jurisdictional laws.

“Where countries have adopted some form of ban on life insurers using genetic tests, they have defined ‘genetic test’ for the purposes of their own regime, which vary in complexity and specificity.”  

Treasury’s submission paper states the ban should have exemptions on genetic test results people voluntarily provide to get better underwriting assessments.  

Submissions responding to a list of questions in the paper must be submitted by March 12.  

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