ANZ is facing a race discrimination lawsuit from a Kiwi couple. (Photo – Jim Rice)

by Misa Han Jul 27 2016

A Kiwi couple has been given a green light to sue ANZ and its life insurance arm OnePath on the basis of racial discrimination after the couple was allegedly denied insurance coverage due to their nationality.

Charles and Judith Cairns were New Zealand citizens and have lived permanently in Australia since 2004. The product disclosure statement for the life insurance policy they took out in 2005 did not define “Permanent Australian Resident”.

OnePath said as New Zealand citizens they would not be covered by the policy and refunded the Cairns all the premiums paid for the policy. The Cairns refused the offer of another health insurance product because of “their concern for other New Zealand citizens”

[Read the full Australian Financial Review article, may be paywalled].