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The commissioner for older people in Wales should be given far-reaching powers to champion their interests, older people's experts have said.

It follows the announcement last week by Welsh secretary Peter Hain of the government's intention to legislate for the establishment of an older people's commissioner in Wales by 2007.

Details of the role will be in a draft bill during the current parliamentary session. Hain said the commissioner "will champion the rights and dignity of older people, protect them from discrimination and prejudice and provide an input to influence future government policies".

Win Tadd, senior research fellow at Cardiff University and author of a report into treating older people with dignity, said the commissioner would need powers to investigate allegations of institutional abuse and impose penalties.

She added that the commissioner should have a role in assessing the quality of services provided by councils, the NHS and private and independent providers and tackle the generational divide.

Byron Williams, older people's spokesperson for the Association of Directors of Social Services, said the commissioner would be essential in changing attitudes to older people.

"The commissioner will have a key role to play in monitoring the reality of older people's experiences."