Seniors welcome Swan advisory panel
Press Release
30 March 2011
Older Australians have welcomed the establishment of an advisory panel to promote the national contribution of seniors but have warned policy makers not to lose sight of the big issue: mature age unemployment.
Announced by Treasurer Wayne Swan today, the Advisory Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians will consider the opportunities of an older population and examine how seniors can be supported in their transition from paid employment to community work.
National Seniors Australia chief executive, Michael O’Neill, who is attending the third meeting of the federal government’s Consultative Forum on Mature Age Participation in Sydney today, says it’s a welcome announcement.
“Shifting the debate away from seniors as a burden to seniors as contributors is welcome and long overdue,” he said.
“However, that shift must also mean moving well beyond supporting older workers transition into community work to ensuring that they’re not forced unwillingly into premature retirement”.
“It’s very much about providing a level playing field for older Australians who want to remain in or return to the paid workforce”.
“The reality is that an older person will remain out of work two to three times longer than a younger person”.
“Mature age unemployment is an issue that requires leadership from both business and government”.
"From government we seek practical solutions such as enhanced training and additional money for employers to retain older workers in an advisory way,” he said.
“From business, it means leading by example through non-discriminatory recruitment practices,” said O’Neill.
Despite ten years of strong economic growth, official figures show little change for older workers. Long term unemployment rates are still consistently higher amongst the over 50s, and, when it comes to workforce participation rates, Australia ranked a dismal last against fellow English-speaking OECD countries in 2010.
This morning, Employment Minister, Kate Ellis, also announced that the government’s Experience+ program will be extended down to workers aged 50 (currently 55-plus).
Additionally, job transition support will be extended beyond construction and manufacturing workers to seniors working in physically demanding roles across all industries. National Seniors welcomes both initiatives.
Michael is available for comment
With a quarter of a million members Australia-wide, National Seniors is the consumer lobby for the over 50s. It is the fourth largest organisation of its type in the world.
Media Enquiries: Sarah Saunders 0409 055 156
30 March 2011
Seniors welcome Swan advisory panel but stress importance of paid employment
Older Australians have welcomed the establishment of an advisory panel to promote the national contribution of seniors but have warned policy makers not to lose sight of the big issue: mature age unemployment.
Announced by Treasurer Wayne Swan today, the Advisory Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians will consider the opportunities of an older population and examine how seniors can be supported in their transition from paid employment to community work.
National Seniors Australia chief executive, Michael O’Neill, who is attending the third meeting of the federal government’s Consultative Forum on Mature Age Participation in Sydney today, says it’s a welcome announcement.
“Shifting the debate away from seniors as a burden to seniors as contributors is welcome and long overdue,” he said.
“However, that shift must also mean moving well beyond supporting older workers transition into community work to ensuring that they’re not forced unwillingly into premature retirement”.
“It’s very much about providing a level playing field for older Australians who want to remain in or return to the paid workforce”.
“The reality is that an older person will remain out of work two to three times longer than a younger person”.
“Mature age unemployment is an issue that requires leadership from both business and government”.
"From government we seek practical solutions such as enhanced training and additional money for employers to retain older workers in an advisory way,” he said.
“From business, it means leading by example through non-discriminatory recruitment practices,” said O’Neill.
Despite ten years of strong economic growth, official figures show little change for older workers. Long term unemployment rates are still consistently higher amongst the over 50s, and, when it comes to workforce participation rates, Australia ranked a dismal last against fellow English-speaking OECD countries in 2010.
This morning, Employment Minister, Kate Ellis, also announced that the government’s Experience+ program will be extended down to workers aged 50 (currently 55-plus).
Additionally, job transition support will be extended beyond construction and manufacturing workers to seniors working in physically demanding roles across all industries. National Seniors welcomes both initiatives.
Michael is available for comment
With a quarter of a million members Australia-wide, National Seniors is the consumer lobby for the over 50s. It is the fourth largest organisation of its type in the world.
Media Enquiries: Sarah Saunders 0409 055 156
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