Proposal for Commonwealth Age Discrimination Laws

By CCH

The Federal Government has released its long awaited information paper on proposals for Commonwealth age discrimination legislation, and is seeking public comment on the proposed reforms.

Currently, Commonwealth legislation does not prohibit age discrimination.. The Federal Government made an election promise in 2001 to develop age discrimination legislation and the information paper sets out the Government's proposals, developed in consultation with business and community representatives.

It is proposed that legislation will prohibit direct and indirect age discrimination in the following areas:

· employment (proposals on whether work should include unpaid work are invited);

· provision of goods, services or facilities;

· access to premises, places or transport;

· administration of Commonwealth laws and programs;

· education;

· provision of accommodation;

· dealings with land; and

· requests for information on which age discrimination might be based

Discrimination on the ground of age will include discrimination on the ground of characteristics generally imputed to or appertaining to a person of a particular age. It will also include anything done on the ground of a person's age group.

CCH Australian & NZ Equal Opportunity Law & Practice; Issue 133 4 March 2003