A Kiwi couple say they will be fighting for New Zealand citizens' rights after being given the go-ahead to sue ANZ and its insurance arm OnePath for discrimination.
Charles and Judith Cairns allege the bank denied them life insurance coverage because they were from New Zealand. The couple will take their case to the New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Board after a ruling from the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The couple had already paid $20,000 in premiums over nine years on a $200,000 policy when a financial planner told them they were unable to receive a payout because they weren't citizens or permanent residents.
ANZ paid the premium back to the couple and offered to settle the case, but the couple want to publicise the issue.
"If I had died my wife could have been given $20,000 and not $200,000 in my death cover," Mr Cairns told Fairfax media.
“I wanted every other non-resident of Australia to be not in the same boat as I was. If somebody had died, they would get a lousy $10,000 [in premium refund],” he said.
Most New Zealanders living in Australia are classified in the same way, as special category visa (SCV) holders, and as many as 600,000 could hold bogus life insurance policies.
In a statement, an ANZ spokesman said: "We remain happy to engage with the Cairns to explain our position and the steps we have taken to address their concerns throughout this process."
"As this matter is still before a tribunal, it would be inappropriate to comment any further."
