EMPLOYERS WILL no longer be able to discriminate on the basis of age, following the safe passage of the Age Discrimination Bill 2003 through the Upper House of the Federal Government
EMPLOYERS WILL no longer be able to discriminate on the basis of age, following the safe passage of the Age Discrimination Bill 2003 through the Upper House of the Federal Government.
Labor and the Australian Democrats agreed to back the Bill, which also gives the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission powers to deal with age discrimination complaints.
Aside from making it illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of age, the Bill also prohibits age discrimination when it comes to health and medical services, access to goods and services, education, accommodation and the administration of Commonwealth laws and programs.
The Bill also provides for a number of exemptions in the areas of superannuation, insurance and credit; pensions, allowances and benefits; and for acts done in compliance with particular laws, awards and agreements.
The Senate unsuccessfully sought a number of amendments to the Bill, including the extension of the laws to cover voluntary work and the establishment of an age discrimination commissioner.
The Federal Government said that despite the important economic and social contribution of older and younger Australians, age discrimination continues to be a significant barrier to equal participation of all Australians in public life.
“The Age Discrimination Bill is a significant means of promoting a change in people’s attitudes about the contributions of younger and older people to society,” said Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock.
He also said the Bill would play an integral role in the Government’s strategy for addressing the ageing of Australia’s population.
“It will facilitate a change in people’s attitudes without imposing unrealistic and unnecessary restraints on decision-making in business and other sectors of public life.”
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) has welcomed the passing of the Bill, claiming that for the first time there will be an enforceable remedy in federal law for people who suffer discrimination on the basis of their age.
“It is especially important given the rapidly growing ageing population in Australia,” said HREOC president John Von Doussa.
