15.04.2013
This Inquiry by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) arose out of concerns about the implications of an ageing population and the recognition that expanding the workforce participation of older Australians may go some way to meeting such concerns. Much energy and activity—nationally and internationally—has been directed towards encouraging mature age people to remain in, or re-enter, paid work. The Treasury published intergenerational reports in 2002, 2007, and 2010;[1] and the Productivity Commission produced Economic Implications of an Ageing Society (2005).[2] There is also the work of the Advisory Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians (Advisory Panel)[3] and the Consultative Forum on Mature Age Participation.[4] This Inquiry also contributes to finding answers.
[1] The Treasury, Intergenerational Report 2002–03 (2002); The Treasury, Intergenerational Report 2007 (2007); The Treasury, Intergenerational Report 2010—Australia to 2050: Future Challenges (2010).
[2] Productivity Commission, Economic Implications of an Ageing Australia (2005).
[3] Advisory Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians, Realising the Economic Potential of Senior Australians—Changing Face of Society (2011); Advisory Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians, Realising the Economic Potential of Senior Australians—Enabling Opportunity (2011); Advisory Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians, Realising the Economic Potential of Senior Australians—Turning Grey into Gold (2011).
[4] National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre, Ageing and the Barriers to Labour Force Participation in Australia (2011), prepared for the Consultative Forum on Mature Age Participation; National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre, Barriers to Mature Age Employment: Final Report of the Consultative Forum on Mature Age Participation (2012), prepared for the Consultative Forum on Mature Age Participation.