Publications > Press Articles 2003

Federal age discrimination legislation - a big win for seniors

by Megan Stoyles, Media Officer, COTA National Seniors Partnership
Sunshine Coast Seniors Newspaper, February 2003, p5

Less than a week after the Attorney General announced the Federal Government's new age discrimination proposals, American Express said it would no longer offer automatic travel insurance to platinum card holders over the age of 80, regardless of their health.

Amex regards the issue as a 'storm in a teacup', but we see it as a strong example of the need for legislation preventing discrimination based on age.

As David Deans, joint CEO of COTA National Seniors has pointed out, "One of the Bee Gees just died of a heart attack at 53 and he would have been able to get coverage. It really gets back to what is your medical condition, not your age."

COTA has been a driving force in pushing for effective Federal age discrimination laws to ensure that there is a clear message from the Commonwealth to the community and business that age discrimination is not acceptable. Federal age discrimination laws are also needed to support and fill in gaps left by State and Territory legislation, which can't cover national programs and policies. It has been part of our budget and election policies throughout the nineties. National Seniors also had strong policies against age discrimination in employment and legal matters, such as company directors over the age of 72 years.

Effective age discrimination laws need to be understood and supported by all individuals, employers and businesses operating in Australia, including foreign owned companies such as Amex. This is why there needs to be an education campaign to explain how discrimination can occur, why it is wrong, and how to prevent and correct it. We are therefore pleased that the proposals include plans for a nationwide education and awareness-raising campaign which has to be an integral part of legislative activity.

The Government has called for public comment on the proposals by 12 February 2003 - less than four weeks from its release. They should also look at the long experience of age anti discrimination legislation in the USA to avoid the pitfalls and legal challenges experienced there.

COTA National Seniors' Policy Councils are considering the Government's proposals and the National Policy Secretariat is preparing a submission at the time of writing. It will be available later in February on this website.

The 80 page Information Paper on the age anti discrimination proposals may be found at www.law.gov.au/ageinfopaper or obtained from the Attorney- General's Department on 02 6250 5863.