The State Government has announced a raft of changes to workers compensation to end discrimination against older employees.

The Commerce Minister Troy Buswell says full workers compensation will be extended to cover people of all ages.

The proposal is among 66 recommendations made after a review of the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act.

Mr Buswell says older workers are disadvantaged under the current system.

“At the moment, once you get past 64, your workers compensation rights are significantly curtailed.

“We need older, more mature people in the workforce and this is a step in the right direction.”

Mr Buswell says it is a win for older workers.

“What we now know is that people are staying in the workforce longer and working at older ages and it’s time for us to modernise the workers compensation system in this state to acknowledge that fact.

“And, to provide adequate protection for older workers in the same way that we do for younger workers in Western Australia.”

Simone McGurk from Unions WA has welcomed the move but says it could take some time to come into effect.

“There will now still be a gap until the legislation is passed but we will be hoping that all parties will support this initiative, and we could have a speedy passage through parliament and make sure that those benefits are available for workers as soon as possible.”