Prime Minister Albanese appoints new Assistant Minister for Ageing

Key points:

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has appointed Kate Thwaites as the Assistant Minister for Ageing in the recent ministry changes
• Twenty-seven percent of Australians aged 50 years and older have experienced age discrimination in their workplace, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
• Council on the Ageing Australia Chief Executive Officer Patricia Sparrow praised the appointment

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has recently changed the ministry cabinet, including the appointment of Kate Thwaites as Assistant Minister for Ageing.

Twenty-seven percent of Australians aged 50 years and older have experienced age discrimination in their workplace, according to recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Council on the Ageing Australia is an organisation that represents older Australians and defines age discrimination as ‘the inability or refusal to recognise the rights, needs, dignity continuing contributions and value of people in an older age group.’

COTA Australia Chief Executive Officer Patricia Sparrow explained the expected benefits of the recent reshuffle in the ministry cabinet. 

“The introduction of an Assistant Minister for Ageing — while not a cabinet position — shows [that] the Federal Government understands the complexity and importance of focusing on the issues impacting older Australians,” she said.

“The Prime Minister has set his government up well to take the important step of introducing a much-needed new strategy for ageing in Australia, which needs to include steps to address systemic ageism. Now the government needs to harness the opportunity it has created.”

In a recent survey, 88 percent of older Australians believe that ‘people are treated differently depending on their age’ in workplaces. 

Ms Sparrow also commented on concerning rates of age discrimination and how these new government changes — including the appointment of a new assistant minister — could help protect older Australians.

“Ageism is rife in Australia. It is hurting older people and stopping them from giving back, which hurts us all,” she said.

“A keen focus on addressing the systemic ageism impacting all walks of life — from government policy to workplace relations and health — is crucial as our population ages.

“We look forward to working closely with all ministers to address issues facing older Australians and to ensure the voice of older Australians is heard throughout all areas of government.”

Researchers have also studied the impact of psychological well-being on the likelihood of an older person to experience age discrimination. 

When faced with age discrimination, participants with higher levels of psychological well-being were less likely to experience ‘negative emotions, were more optimistic about ageing and their future, were more self-confident about their bodies and were flexible in setting goals.’

Age discrimination can negatively affect older Australians in many ways, including:

• mental health, e.g. lowering of self-esteem;
• physical health, e.g by not receiving treatment because of one’s age; and
• employment outcomes.

A person’s financial well-being can also be negatively affected if they are made redundant or forced into retirement due to their age.

Ageism may also shorten an older person’s life span, reduce their general quality of life and impair cognitive function. 

Ms Sparrow emphasised the importance of implementing new government policies with the hope that age discrimination will be a thing of the past.

“Governments have to take responsibility with policies that empower and harness older people for the benefit of everyone,” she said. 

“[…] This requires leadership and political will [and] these ministerial changes indicate this government has [them].”

The Australian Human Rights Commission conducted a short educational intervention, with 90 percent of participants rethinking how they communicate with older people.

Examples of better interactions with older Australians can include:

• not making assumptions based on a person’s age;
• valuing individuals and focusing on their strengths rather than their limitations; and
• not making unnecessary comments regarding a person’s age.

Have you experienced age discrimination? How did this make you feel?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

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