Media release
25 May 2010

Retirement age for magistrates to rise but ageism still exists

Australia’s largest seniors’ group has welcomed the Queensland Government’s decision to raise the retirement age for magistrates from 65 to 70 years but says the government does not go far enough.

National Seniors Australia chief executive Michael O’Neill said the move was a step in the right direction but called on the Bligh Government to completely abolish age limits.

“It still means an arbitrary age limit will decide how long someone can serve as a magistrate rather than their ability to perform their duties,’’ O’Neill said.

“Such arbitrary age limits occur far too often in government legislation.”

O’Neill said it was time for state and federal governments to review all legislation and remove all arbitrary age limits that discriminate against older Australians.

“Even though this move brings Queensland into line with the rules for Supreme and District Court judges, it’s still blatant age discrimination that should be abolished.”

Media contact: 07 3233 9135

With around 280,000 members, National Seniors is Australia’s largest consumer organisation for the over-50s and fourth largest group of its kind in the world.