The Inquiry

Inquiry progress

This is the second stage in the consultation processes in this Inquiry into Commonwealth legal barriers to older persons participating in the workforce or other productive work. This Discussion Paper Summary provides an overview of the policy framework and the proposals and questions contained in the full Discussion Paper—available online. The full Discussion Paper sets out in detail the issues raised by the Terms of Reference, the research behind the proposals and questions, a thorough analysis and discussion of stakeholder views and the ALRC’s views to date.

The first stage included the release of the Issues Paper, Grey Areas—Age Barriers to Work in Commonwealth Laws (ALRC IP 41), generating 63 submissions.^[1] The Issues Paper, the Discussion Paper and this Discussion Paper Summary may be downloaded free of charge from the ALRC website, <www.alrc.gov.au>. Hard copies may be obtained on request by contacting the ALRC on (02) 8238 6333.

This summary document is designed specifically with stakeholders in mind. It provides the essential minimum for easy access to the ALRC’s thinking at this stage in the Inquiry. The next stage, after submissions close, will be the preparation of the final Report, to be delivered to the Attorney-General of Australia by the end of March 2013.

How to make a submission

There is no specified format for submissions, although the questions and proposals provided in this document are intended to provide guidance for respondents. The ALRC welcomes submissions, which may be made in writing, by email or using the ALRC’s online submission form. Submissions made using the online submission form are preferred.

Generally, submissions will be published on the ALRC website, unless marked confidential. Confidential submissions may still be the subject of a request for access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth). In the absence of a clear indication that a submission is intended to be confidential, the ALRC will treat the submission as public. The ALRC does not publish anonymous submissions.