Standing Committee on Employment, Education
and Workplace Relations
Public hearings in Sydney, February 10
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education
and Workplace Relations will be holding public hearings for its inquiry
into issues specific to mature-age job seekers, in
Sydney, starting
at 9:00am on Thursday 10 February in the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Offices, Phillip Street. The program is attached.
The Chair of the Committee, Dr Brendan Nelson, said: "The Committee
is keen to hear from the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS)
as its submission has some interesting comments and suggestions.
"ACOSS argues that there is a need for a range of programs to help
unemployed mature-age job seekers into paid employment. ACOSS believes,
however, a balance is required between the needs of mature-age unemployed
and all other disadvantaged people who need assistance in accessing
employment and training.
"Because unemployment is more severe in some regional areas, the Committee
is keen to hear from witnesses from regions. We shall be hearing from
the Shoalhaven Area Consultative Committee and from witnesses from the
Bathurst area.
"In addition, the Committee will be hearing from two academics who
have reported a trend during recent decades of a growing number of employees
working longer hours. Some people have suggested that shorter working
hours may result in more jobs being available. We shall be looking to
Mr Bittman and Mr Rice to comment on this proposal.
Dr Nelson added: "One aspect we have been conscious of throughout
this inquiry is the need to maintain a healthy mind and body when unemployed.
The Committee is aware that many people, especially men, go through
periods of depression and loss of self-esteem. The work of OM:NI, a
special project funded by the Council on the Ageing, is therefore of
interest to the Committee as its focus is on helping to keep unemployed
mature-age men healthy.
"As it reaches the end of its inquiry, the Committee is focusing on
possible solutions to address the difficulties resulting from mature-age
unemployment. Several schemes have been initiated to help young unemployed
people. The Committee hopes that its inquiry will result in feasible
programs to help unemployed mature-age job seekers."
The Committee has received evidence from witnesses at earlier public
hearings in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide and Newcastle.
Most submissions are at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/eewr/OWK/index.htm
or copies can be obtained from the secretariat. Public hearing transcripts
are also available from this site.
Terms of reference
Inquire into the social, economic and industrial issues specific to
workers over 45 years of age seeking employment, or establishing a business,
following unemployment.
Program
- 9:00am Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS)
- Ms Betty Hounslow, Director
- Mr David Thompson, Treasurer and Executive Member
- Mr Christopher Dodds, Executive Member
9:45am Jobfind Centre
- Ms Kate Dwyer, National Coordinator
10:30am Shoalhaven Area Consultative Committee
- Mr Milton Lay, Executive Officer
- Mr John Ashworth, Consultant
11:15am Mrs Lyn Maciver (Bathurst)
11:45am Older men: New ideas (OM:NI)
- Mr Jack Zinn, Project Manager
- Mr Michael Keats, Project Officer
12:15pm Lunch
1:30pm Mr Michael Bittman & Mr James Rice
- Social Policy Research Centre, University of NSW
2:00pm Mr Denis Baker [author of jobsearch booklets]
2:30pm Close
Back to top