[Greens-Media] Media Release - Retirement age increase will force older jobseekers into poverty

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

24 February 2014

Retirement age increase will force older jobseekers into poverty

The Australian Greens said today that increasing the retirement age will leave more people living in poverty as older jobseekers are left on Newstart and the DSP.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on families and community services raised the issue in Senate Estimates today during hearings with the Human Rights Commission and Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan.

"Commissioner Ryan has clearly explained that older Australians stuck on Newstart face a significant barrier created by age discrimination, and has linked extended periods of unemployment to poor physical and mental health outcomes that put people at serious risk," Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

"We know that more and more people aged 45 and over are moving onto Newstart after losing their jobs, and that they're stuck there for significantly longer periods of time because of age discrimination in the workforce.

"Figures from previous Senate Estimates have shown us that there has been a 28% increase in the number of Australians aged 50 and over on Newstart since 2010. This is a growing problem that Tony Abbott cannot ignore.

"Commissioner Ryan made it clear that age discrimination is a key factor blocking people from re-entering the workforce. Without action, more older Australians will be excluded from the workforce and will retire in poverty.

"The Age Discrimination Commissioner has not been formally asked for advice on increasing the retirement age. I would encourage the Government to make this request a priority," Senator Siewert concluded.


A video of estimates is available online: http://youtu.be/zRwUIm4nbp0?t=3s