Law reform to combat ageism
The Australian Law Reform Commission has just released a discussion paper outlining 36 proposals and posing 15 questions about how Commonwealth laws impose barriers to older people participating in the workforce. Have your say by 23 November.
Above: Australian Law Reform Commission president, Professor Rosalind Croucher.
The Australian Law Reform Commission has released a discussion paper to sketch out its inquiry into Commonwealth laws that stand in the way of older people participating equally in the workforce.
The inquiry into Commonwealth laws and regulations that directly or indirectly impose barriers to workforce participation among the older age group is part of the federal government’s response to population ageing.
Released yesterday, the discussion paper is based on a nationwide consultation process and over 60 submissions received by the ALRC to its earlier issues paper on the subject, published on 1 May this year.
The new document details 36 proposals for law reform to reduce age discrimination in federal laws relating to employment, and poses 15 questions for discussion.
ALRC president and commissioner in charge of the inquiry, Professor Rosalind Croucher, said the proposals in the discussion paper covered the areas of recruitment and employment, work health and safety, insurance, social security, and superannuation.
“Reform in this area is complex and must address multifaceted and interrelated barriers to workforce participation,” Professor Croucher said.
“The ALRC is suggesting the need for a combination of legislative and regulatory reform, together with measures to increase education and awareness and address perceptions and stereotypes surrounding mature age workers.”
Individuals and organisations are encouraged to respond in further submissions by Friday 23 November 2012, which will help inform the ALRC’s final recommendations.
Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan, who is also a part-time commissioner on the ALRC inquiry, encouraged any individuals and organisations committed to the wellbeing of older Australians to read the document and respond to its proposals.
“This discussion paper provides the public with an important opportunity to shape proposed reforms aimed at improving the financial and personal wellbeing of older Australians,” Ms Ryan said. “I hope all organisations and individuals committed to these aims will read the paper and send us their views.”
Commonwealth law reform was also suggested by the Treasurer’s Advisory Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians, another plank of the federal government’s long-term ageing policy which handed down its final report in December 2011.
The EPSA panel found over 50 instances of age discrimination in the legislation that governs both state and federal public service jobs, leading its members to conclude that age discrimination is more prevalent in the public sector than the private sector.
Click here to download the Australian Law Reform Commission’s new discussion paper. Hard copies are available on request from the ALRC.
To make a submission, click here to use the online form, or send written submissions to the ALRC through post, fax or email.
