“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.