News
1 December, 2025
The Hon. Stephen Jones’ legacy for Australians
Former Federal Member for Whitlam was determined to achieve an important protection to life insurance for Australians while he was in office.
The former Federal Member for Whitlam was determined to achieve an important protection to life insurance for Australians while he was in office. He worked in consultation with Dr Jane Tiller (PhD) who researched and advocated for almost a decade for reform with the support of Mr Jones.
Last week, The Hon Dr Daniel Mulino MP, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services introduced legislation to Parliament to ban the use of adverse genetic tests in life insurance underwriting.
Genetic testing supports medical practitioners to prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor a range of cancers and other heritable conditions. Some people were not getting tested due to concerns about the impacts of the results of those tests on the affordability and accessibility of life insurance.
This legislation has broad support across the Parliament including but not limited to; Rebecca White, Josh Burns, Dr Mike Freelander, Senator Deborah O'Neill, Ged Kearney, Louise Miller-Frost MP FAICD, David Pocock, Dr Helen Haines, Zali Steggall OAM MP, Allegra Spender, Monique Ryan, Dr Sophie Scamps MP and Jordon Steele-John.
The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) also supports the reform.
Stephen Jones is now stationed in Paris as Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with a remit to advance Australia’s interests at the OECD.
He served as a member of the Federal Parliament from 2010 until 2025, worked in the Treasury portfolio for almost six years and served as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services for nearly half of that time.
In Government, Mr Jones delivered reforms to strengthen Australia’s superannuation and financial systems, modernise markets, and improve the integrity of the tax system.
The OECD is a trusted and influential pillar of global economic governance and a recognised leader in economic research, analysis and evidence-based policy guidance on economic and social issues.
Read More: Southern Highlands