Standing Committee on Employment, Education
and Workplace Relations
Public Hearings in Melbourne, September 8 & 9
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education
and Workplace Relations will be holding public hearings in
Melbourne
for its inquiry into the problem of mature aged unemployment on
8-9
September 1999 [See attached program]. The Committee held earlier
public hearings in Sydney and Canberra, when evidence was heard from a
number of witnesses.
The Chair of the Committee, Dr Brendan Nelson, said: "In this
Year of the Older Person, it is timely for the plight of mature aged
unemployed people to be examined, especially as evidence is showing
us that many are 'hidden' or 'discouraged' unemployed.
"It is quite sobering to hear from some witnesses that age discrimination
may be levelled at people in their early forties or even younger.
"Mature aged job seekers face a particular set of problems once they
become unemployed. Many have young 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.
"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 may be
a major factor. As well, community support mechanisms, including training
programs, may need to be re-designed to meet the needs of this age group."
Witnesses appearing before the Committee on 8 and 9 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 a number of support groups such
as the Brotherhood of St Laurence, the Salvation Army and Jobseeking
Over Forty Association (JOFA).
On Thursday afternoon 9 September, the Committee will meet with a
number of people at the invitation of JobsEast for a roundtable discussion.
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.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Wednesday, 8 September 1999
Venue: Level 8, 35 Spring Street, Melbourne [afternoon only]
Program
3.15 pm Mr Tony O'Neill
3.45 pm Mr Leo Clark, Ballarat
4:15 pm Ms Rebecca Norton
4.45 pm Close
Thursday, 9 September 1999
Venues: Level 8, 35 Spring Street, Melbourne [morning only]
Council Chambers, City of Maroondah, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood [afternoon
only]
Program
9:00 am Brotherhood of St Laurence
10:15 am The Salvation Army Employment Plus
11:30 am Job Seeking Over Forty Association (JOFA)
12:15 pm Ms Trish Walsh
12:45 pm Bus to Ringwood for public forum with JobsEast
1:30 pm LUNCH
2:15 pm JobsEast
4:00 pm Close
Terms of reference
On 9 March 1999, the Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and
Small Business, the Hon Peter Reith MP, requested that the House of
Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Workplace
Relations inquire into and report on:
The social, economic and industrial issues specific to workers over
45 years of age seeking employment, or establishing a business, following
unemployment.
The Committee is continuing to receive submissions, which may be sent
to:
The Secretary,
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education
and Workplace Relations
R1, 116, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.
Submissions e-mailed to eewr.reps@aph.gov.au
will also be accepted provided they include a postal address.
Back to top