First Age Discrimination Commissioner appointed

Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, has announced the appointment of the Susan Ryan as Australia's first ever Age Discrimination Commissioner.

"In her new position of Age Discrimination Commissioner, Ms Ryan will be a dedicated advocate not only older Australians, but also young people who might be affected by age discrimination," Mr McClelland said.

"The new Age Discrimination Commissioner will operate as part of the Age Discrimination Act to tackle age discrimination in our workplaces and the wider community. "This includes discrimination in getting job or applying for a promotion, enrolling at a TAFE or university, applying to rent a house, or using services such as at a bank," he said.

Families, Housing, Community Services Minister, Jenny Macklin, said Ms Ryan has significant experience addressing discrimination and advocating for older people as well as practical work implementing anti-discrimination policy.

Mr McClelland thanked Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, who has been handling age discrimination issues in addition to her current role.

"However, the Government believes the issue of age discrimination deserves the advocacy of a dedicated commissioner," Mr McClelland said.