'Australia needs to break this cycle of ageism in our workplaces'
Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM started his new role this month with a pledge to crack down on ageism in Australian workplaces.
Fitzgerald said there is a "plethora of evidence" that shows the wellbeing of older people is not being sufficiently supported in practice.
"For example, it is clear we are employing more older people, but too many are devalued in the workplace. Australia needs to break this cycle of ageism," the commissioner said in a statement.
"It is essential we bring down barriers facing older people so they can contribute their talents and experience to the workforce and ensure respectful treatment."
He made the remarks amid reports of HR professionals "actively" excluding older people, or those aged 65 and over, for recruitment. Only a quarter of HR professionals also said they are open to hiring these older jobseekers "to a large extent."
Empowering older workers
In addition to eliminating ageism, Fitzgerald also said his immediate and long-term priorities include improving protections against the abuse of older persons in all its forms and seeing Australia's anti-discrimination laws harmonised at state and commonwealth levels.
According to the commissioner, older people must be empowered to have a voice, get educated on their rights, and be better protected when they're in vulnerable or unsafe relationships.
"We must find ways to ensure older Australians live free from abuse, by implementing effective adult safeguarding mechanisms across the nation, and ensure this right is extended to culturally and linguistically diverse and First Nations communities," he said.
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Fitzgerald started his new role as age discrimination commissioner on April 2.
"I am honoured to continue the more than a decade's work of my predecessors, the Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO and the late Hon Susan Ryan AO, and further address the delicate and intersecting needs of our ageing population," he said.
Prior to this stint, Fitzgerald was the NSW Ageing and Disability Commissioner. He was also an Australian Productivity Commissioner, NSW Community and Disability Services Commissioner, and Deputy Ombudsman.