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New report reveals almost one in 4 employers consider workers in their 50s ‘old’ and are reluctant to hire people over 50 and under 24 despite skills shortages.

A new Australian network to promote the human rights of older persons within Australia and internationally has been launched, bringing together key civil society organisations and individuals. As Australia ages, the need for enforceable human rights for older persons becomes more urgent. The Human Rights As We Age Network will work collaboratively to advance human rights for older persons

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,…

Australia’s Age Discrimination Commissioner has called on organisations providing services to older people to deliver ageism awareness training to their staff, with new research showing it can be highly effective in shifting attitudes. The Australian Human Rights Commission surveyed aged care and community workers before and after undertaking a training session, which covered several topics …

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,…

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the publication of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Following the findings and recommendations in the report, released today, the Commission would like to see the human rights of older people embedded in the planning, provision and monitoring of aged care services in Australia. “Older people have the…

All 16 of Australia’s children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates say a commitment by state attorneys-general to develop a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 does not go far enough. In a joint statement, Australian children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates said: “We are pleased that some jurisdictions have for the first time indicated they will look at…

National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar AO have urged all Australian governments to raise the age of criminal responsibility as a matter of priority. A report commissioned by a meeting of Attorneys-General in July last year recommended that all jurisdictions raise the age and ensure younger teenagers…

Australia’s Disability and Age Discrimination Commissioners have called out the governments of NSW and Western Australia for failing older people and people with disability by not requiring new homes in their jurisdictions to meet the minimum national accessibility standards in the National Construction Code (NCC). 

Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM has urged Australian newsrooms to review their editorial practices, work closely with experts in the age sector, and strengthen staff training to specifically cover age and ageism, after a new report found the media industry is failing to accurately represent older Australians and the issues they are facing.

Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM has said Commonwealth and State and Territory governments must act now to achieve national consistency in laws governing enduring power of attorney, following the release of a new report.