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Complaints

Age Discrimination

Retirement village operators urged to improve elder abuse protections

The Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM, has called on Australia’s retirement living sector to introduce new nationwide strategies to better identify and respond to the abuse of residents. 

Elder abuse affects one in six older Australians, including those living in retirement villages. The abuse can take many forms, including neglect, financial exploitation, physical violence, and psychological abuse. According to a 2023 study by the NSW Retirement Villages Residents Association, the most common form of abuse in villages is resident-on-resident. 

Age Discrimination Commissioner: Australia has a long way to go to end elder abuse

Content type: Media Release
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Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM has warned the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is likely to lead to an increased risk of elder abuse with Australia needing to further bolster its efforts to address the nationwide problem.  

Elder abuse is when harm is done to an older person by someone they know and trust, often a family member. It can take many forms, including neglect, financial exploitation, physical violence, coercive control, and sexual and psychological abuse. 

Participation in Public Life and Decision-Making Processes

Address by Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald: Intervention of the Australian Human Rights Commission to 14th session of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing. Delivered on 23 May 2024.

Age Discrimination Commissioner launches new interview series

The Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM, has today launched a new interview series about ageing positively in Australia and the human rights challenges facing older people.

‘Let’s Talk Ageing’ will hear from prominent Australians and thought-leaders in the country. The first guest is Australian Human Rights Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, who was also the Acting Age Discrimination Commissioner prior to Commissioner Fitzgerald's commencement.

Let's Talk Ageing Episode 1: Interview with Human Rights President Rosalind Croucher

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Our new 'Let’s Talk Ageing' interview series presents insights from thought-leaders about ageing in Australia and beyond. 

In the first interview of this series, Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM talks with President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, about ageing positively and some of the challenges older persons face from a human rights perspective.

Read more about the Age Discrimination Commissioner's work.

Age Discrimination Commissioner calls for a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

Content type: Media Release
Published:

Australia’s Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM, has called on the Federal Government to formally endorse the creation of a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, in what he said remains a missing piece in the international human rights framework.

Currently, there is no binding international instrument dedicated to the rights of older persons, like there is for race, sex, children, and disability. This is despite the growing trend of ageing populations, both globally and in Australia.

Robert Fitzgerald commences as Age Discrimination Commissioner

Australia’s new Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM, said due to the country’s rapidly ageing population, every effort is required to better secure the wellbeing and safety of older Australians. A nationally consistent approach, he adds, is essential to empower older people and ensure they live safely with dignity and agency.

A Human Rights Act and older people

OPAN National Older Persons Reference Group

Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM FAAL FRSA FACLM(Hon)

Abstract

The presentation will focus on the Commission’s proposed model for a Human Rights Act in Australia and how it may support the rights of older people.

Introduction

[Thank you to organisers….]

Commission welcomes new Age Discrimination Commissioner

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the appointment of Robert Fitzgerald AM as the new Age Discrimination Commissioner.

“We are extremely delighted by this appointment. On behalf of staff and Commissioners, I warmly welcome Robert Fitzgerald as Age Discrimination Commissioner,” said Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM.

Australia's human rights progress

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Australia is widely considered the land of the "fair go".

And while that may ring true for many people, not all in our country are yet afforded the dignity and basic rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  

As the final episode in our series commemorating the Declaration’s 75th anniversary explores, its promise in Australia remains a “work in progress”.

Learn more about our series here.