Standing Committee on Employment, Education
and Workplace Relations
Public Hearings in Perth & Adelaide, September 15 - 16
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education
and Workplace Relations will be holding public hearings in
Perth
and
Adelaide for its inquiry into issues specific to mature aged
unemployment on
15-16 September 1999 [See attached program]. The
Committee has received evidence from a number of witnesses at earlier public
hearings in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
The Chair of the Committee, Dr Brendan Nelson, said: "The evidence
we have heard to date from individuals, Commonwealth and State departments,
service providers and support organisations has highlighted the plight
of mature aged unemployed people.
"Mature aged job seekers face a particular set of problems. Many still
have dependants, mortgages and other financial obligations. They may
find themselves forced to use up their savings and even their superannuation
before they can register with Centrelink.
"The figures show that mature aged people who become unemployed tend
to experience longer periods of unemployment than those who are younger.
Evidence shows that early intervention is crucial if full-time work
is to be found.
"It is quite sobering to hear from witnesses who still have so much
to contribute but are being denied the chance to be part of the workforce
again. Many have said they feel angry and rejected, especially as some
have been searching for work for several years.
"The Committee aims to identify why mature age people have so much
difficulty in regaining employment after they lose their jobs. There
is disturbing evidence that discrimination on the basis of age might
be a major factor. As well, community support mechanisms, including
training programs, should be re-designed to meet the needs of this age
group."
Witnesses appearing before the Committee in Perth on 15 September
and Adelaide on 16 September will be drawn from a cross-section of the
community, including individuals describing their own experiences and
suggesting possible solutions. Witnesses have also been called from
State departments and from a number of support groups such as DOME,
Pep Employment Services, the Office of Seniors Interest, SACOSS, Port
Pirie Central Mission and the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Many of the submissions so far received may be accessed at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/eewr/OWK/index.htm
or copies can be obtained from the secretariat.
Wednesday, 15 September 1999
Venue: Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices,
Level 39 Exchange Plaza,
Sherwood Court Entrance,
2 The Esplanade, Perth
Program
8:30 am Western Australian Department of Training
9:45 am DOME Inc Employment Services (WA)
10.30 am Mr Ben Grummels
11:00 am Pep Employment Services (Inc.)
12:00 pm Mr Peter Hudson
12:30 pm LUNCH
2:00 pm Mercy Community Services
2:45 pm Office of Seniors Interests
3:30 pm Mr John Bain
4:00 pm Close
Thursday, 16 September 1999
Venue: Commonwealth Centre,
Level 1, 55 Currie Street, Adelaide
Program
8:30 am South Australian Government
9:45 am South Australian Council of Social Service Inc. (SACOSS)
11:00 am DOME [Don't Overlook Mature Expertise]
12:00 pm Port Pirie Central Mission Inc
12:45 pm LUNCH
1:30 pm Australian Physiotherapy Association
2:45 pm Ms Valerie Williams
3:15 pm Ms Marion Drazil
3:45 pm Mr Andrew Dawe
4:15 pm National Centre for Vocational Education Research Ltd
4:45 pm South East Area Consultative Committee Inc. (Mt Gambier)
5:15 pm Close
Terms of reference
Inquire into the social, economic and industrial issues specific to
workers over 45 years of age seeking employment, or establishing a business,
following unemployment.
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