The private insurance market has largely escaped scrutiny under the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) review of equality, capacity and disability in Commonwealth laws.

The commission’s discussion paper on changing laws to improve disabled people’s rights says while insurance issues have been raised, some do not relate directly to concepts of legal capacity or decision-making capability “and the ALRC does not intend to make proposals in these areas”.

Access to life and income protection insurance and travel cover were considered likely to attract the inquiry’s attention.

The Insurance Council of Australia told the commission exemptions from disability discrimination laws allow insurers to manage risks appropriately.