Butler laments ageism in Australia

Senior Labor figure Mark Butler has lamented ageism and age discrimination in Australia, calling for a shift in the way governments and society treat older generations.

Harking back to his days as the minister for ageing in the Gillard/Rudd Labor governments, Mr Butler says the burden of older Australians on the federal budget is constantly exaggerated.

Older Australians are also patronised within the community and subject to incorrect stereotypes that they're all "healthy and wealthy and that their retirement is going to be a long festival of beer and skittles," Mr Butler told the National Press Club on Wednesday.