Let’s join forces to Save the 2016 Census
If, like us, you think shifting the Census from a five to ten yearly cycle is a bad idea, let’s join forces to stop it. If you believe in planning at the local level for local communities, join with us to help save the 2016 Census. Read on to find a letter you can send to the Prime Minister’s office and the Australian Statistician (Head of the ABS).
.id’s position on the proposed axing of the 2016 Census
The 2016 Census is under threat. It is mooted that we should replace the five-yearly census with a much reduced ten-yearly version, supplemented with survey data in the interim years.
At .id we are the first to embrace new ideas if they lead to better outcomes for the community. Having considered the alternatives (which are not clearly articulated) we have concluded that this would be a serious retrograde step. The proposed axing of the 2016 Census is not to make way for something better, but simply for a cost saving. In our view this is a short-sighted false economy that a wealthy society like Australia would be wise to reject.
There is a lot of debate about replacing the census with sample surveys, metadata collection, etc. This may sound appealing at first glance but for those who use census data regularly it is quickly apparent that we would lose a wealth of knowledge about our community. Read why a survey won’t work for local communities in Glenn’s article Why we need to save the 2016 census.
We believe there are serious implications to Australian communities as the census is key to informing policies, planning service delivery, allocating resources and much more. Through our work, we know that census data makes government expenditure more efficient and helps businesses increase productivity, make investment decisions and generate wealth. It enables all sectors across Australia to make informed and evidence-based decisions for the present and the future. Read more from .id’s founder Ivan Motley about why census data is so important to local communities.
We’re not the only ones who think like this. .id recently joined other leading demographers, sociologists and economic thinkers to petition against the proposal to change the census from five to 10-year cycles. Here’s a transcript of the letter we sent to the editors of The Australian. A subsequent article was published on 10 March 2015.
How can you add your voice?
If you would like to be involved in saving the 2016 Census, .id’s founder, Ivan Motley has penned a letter clearly outlining the case for a five-yearly census. Sign and send this letter to the ABS, the Prime Minister’s office, relevant federal ministers and your local MP.
Let our leaders know how important the census is to us, our community and our future.
If you are working in local government, you will be particularly concerned about losing the census. We suggest you to take this letter to your CEO and encourage a formal submission from your council.
You can also raise awareness amongst your friends and colleagues by sharing Ivan’s letter on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter (#saveourcensus, #iusecensus).
It’s important to act quickly as the ABS must make its decision about whether to run the 2016 Census soon.
Send your letters to:
David Kalisch, The Australian Statistician
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Locked Bag 10
Belconnen ACT 2616
david.kalisch@abs.gov.au
The Hon. Tony Abbott, MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
The Hon Scott Morrison MP
Minister for Social Services
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Scott.Morrison.MP@aph.gov.au
The Hon Warren Truss MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development
(Leader of the Nationals)
P O Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
W.Truss.MP@aph.gov.au
Minister for Small Business
The Hon Bruce Billson MP
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
B.Billson.MP@aph.gov.au
Minister for Human Services
Senator the Hon Marise Payne
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
minister@humanservices.gov.au
Read related blogs:
Axe the 2016 Census? You’ve got to be kidding!
Why we need to save the 2016 Census
Lailani - Population News
Lailani is responsible for content and strategy at .id, ensuring our clients’ needs are central to our enterprise and that we generously share our knowledge with the broadest audience. As a member of our Board, Lailani works with Ivan and Janet to set the strategic direction for the company. Her current focus is our Placemaker consulting business and she has worked with numerous clients across retail, finance, property, local government, education and not-for-profits to put together the best evidence-base for their spatial decision making. With degrees in Business Studies and Economics, she has worked in business development and marketing roles for IBM and SPSS in the UK, as well as a stint as a ranger in Kakadu National Park. Lailani is an Alexander Technique practitioner, surfer and traveller.
