Carr Pledges Jobs For Aged
The Sun Herald
Sunday March 24, 1991
THE NSW Labor Party yesterday pledged to ban discrimination against old people in employment-a step from which the Greiner Government has retreated.
Some employers were discriminating against older workers who had lost their jobs during the recession, Opposition Leader Bob Carr said.
He announced the ALP's senior citizen's policy would enact tough laws against age discrimination.
"Recent surveys show women over 45 seeking to re-enter the job market are the most likely to suffer discrimination," Mr Carr said.
"Older workers have a right to be considered for jobs on their merits."
The Greiner Government had broken its promise to ban age discrimination in employment, he said.
Mr Carr said he was prepared to fight the election on a fair go for seniors.
He said Labor would also re-introduce transport concessions for older people axed by the Government.
Other key features of the policy include:
* 1,000 extra Housing Department pensioner units.
* Reinstate North Coast rail sleeper services.
* $900,000 boost to cut waiting list for free dentures, podiatry and spectacles.
* New TAFE programs to help older people remain in the workplace.
* $250,000 to help the elderly living alone with a pilot personal health and safety alarm system.
* 008 Senior's telephone line to inform about issues of concern to the aged such as concessions on Government taxes and charges.
Mr Carr said older people had been hit hard by the past three years of record increases in State Government taxes and charges.
© 1991 The Sun Herald