Standing Committee on Employment, Education
and Workplace Relations
Launch of Inquiry
The Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business,
the Hon Peter Reith MP, has 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 Chair, Dr Brendan Nelson, MP (Lib, NSW), said: "The
plight of older workers facing redundancy and the prospect of unemployment
or having to retrain to secure employment is a problem that is largely
overlooked. It has certainly not received the attention that youth unemployment
has."
Dr Nelson said: "In general, older jobseekers face longer periods
of unemployment than younger people and unemployment presents them with
a particular set of problems. Employment difficulties for older workers
may jeopardise retirement income security, particularly for women. Women
also appear to suffer age discrimination at an earlier age than men
whereas for men, employment difficulties are often linked to marriage
break-ups."
"The Committee is also interested in examining the circumstances
of people who establish businesses following redundancy. In particular,
are they properly skilled and fully informed before putting redundancy
and superannuation payments at risk to begin a business?"
The Committee is inviting submissions from all interested organisations
and individuals. On the basis of submissions received, the Committee
will be taking evidence at public hearings throughout Australia, starting
in June. The Committee has asked that written submissions be forwarded
by 30 April 1999 if possible, although the Committee will
accept submissions throughout the course of the inquiry.
Written submissions should be forwarded to:
The Secretary,
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment,
Education and Workplace Relations
R1, 116, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.
Emailed submissions to eewr.reps@aph.gov.au
will be accepted provided they include a postal address.
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