Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Workplace Relations

Inquiry into issues specific to older workers seeking employment, or establishing a business, following unemployment
Media release, 23 November 1999

Public Hearings in Canberra, November 25

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Workplace Relations will be holding its next public hearings for its inquiry into issues specific to mature-age job seekers, in Canberra, starting at9:00 am on Thursday 25 November in Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House.

The Chair of the Committee, Dr Brendan Nelson, said: "We look forward to hearing from the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia and the South-East NSW Area Consultative Committee this Thursday. Both bring very important perspectives to the inquiry.

"Individually, small businesses have few employees but the sector as a whole creates an enormous amount of employment. We are therefore very interested in the employment practices of small businesses and the opportunities they may provide for mature-age workers. Small businesses could benefit greatly from the skills and experiences held by people in this age group.

"Many mature-age people, who find themselves unemployed, start or purchase small businesses. Often they may do this without sufficient understanding of the risks involved, resulting in loss of precious savings for retirement. The Committee is keen to explore how these people could be better informed and trained before commencing small business ventures.

"The south-east region of NSW is experiencing many of the challenges faced by other regions in Australia. Its Area Consultative Committee covers the shires of Bega Valley, Bombala, Cooma-Monaro, Eurobodalla and Snowy River. This region has suffered job losses in the timber and fishing industries and faces challenges in developing new employment opportunities.

Dr Nelson added: "We are keen to have a better understanding of the particular challenges faced by the small business sector and regional areas in order to find workable solutions for mature-age job seekers."

The Committee has held public hearings in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra. Public hearing transcripts and most submissions are available at: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/eewr/OWK/index.htm . Alternatively, copies may be obtained directly from the secretariat.

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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