AGE MATTERS PROJECT

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:22): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Will the minister provide the chamber with details of how SafeWork SA is addressing the issues surrounding an ageing workforce in South Australia?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:22): I thank the honourable member for her very important question and acknowledge her very keen interest in this particular issue. The question is particularly relevant to South Australians, given the knowledge that this state has the second oldest population and fastest ageing workforce in Australia. The South Australian government has recognised the need to utilise the skills of our older population to better position themselves in relation to income, health and social participation, as well as improving South Australia's productivity.

As such, the latest update of South Australia's Strategic Plan includes a new target, Target 48: Ageing workforce participation. This target is to increase the proportion of older South Australians who are engaged in the workforce by 10 per cent by 2020. Unfortunately, recent research has revealed that mature-age employees consider it difficult for them to obtain work in South Australia and feel that they had at times received unfair treatment from employers due to their mature age.

In response to these findings I am pleased to say that SafeWork SA's work-life balance strategy, through its Age Matters project, is playing a vital role in addressing the under-utilisation and discrimination that mature-age workers are experiencing in recruitment and employment in the South Australian workforce. The Age Matters project, funded by the Office for Ageing, promotes the social and economic arguments for supporting age diversity and flexible work for older workers. It is addressing the issues that mature-age workers are facing in recruitment and employment, such as aged-based bullying and being pushed towards retirement, promotion and training and the ability to make use of flexible work arrangements.

By raising awareness of the projected labour supply and encouraging workforce planning, the Age Matters project focuses on optimising mature worker participation in South Australia as part of their work-life balance strategies that promote age inclusive approaches within the workforce. To further raise awareness of this important issue, SafeWork SA has also partnered with the Committee for Economic Development of Australia to present the seminar focusing on South Australia's ageing workforce and its implications for the state.

The event, which is being held tomorrow at the Adelaide Festival Centre, will feature internationally recognised demographer Mr Bernard Salt, who will look at the profile of older workers in South Australia and the role of flexible work in future strategic responses. Focus group research conducted recently as part of the Age Matters project, in conjunction with the Office for Ageing, will also be presented at the event.

I commend SafeWork SA and its work-life balance team for its work towards promoting workforce participation amongst an important section of our community and the benefits this can have for all South Australians.