ABS confirms census under review amid concern it may be axed to cut costs, sparking outrage from demographers

Updated

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has confirmed it is looking for new ways to conduct the census which currently occurs every five years.

There has been uncertainty surrounding the future of the national census amid media reports the Federal Government is considering axing it.

In a statement the bureau's boss, David Kalisch, said the ABS had for some time been considering options for transforming "people statistics".

He said additional government investment in the organisation's infrastructure would enable the ABS to better manage the quality of statistical information it makes available.

"The ABS continually looks for improved ways to do our business, in order to deliver high quality, timely information that Australia needs," he said.

"The ABS is also consulting with Government and other stakeholders about options for broader reform of the Australian statistical system, including more effective arrangements for other government agencies that undertake statistical activities.

"Government investment in the ABS's critical statistical infrastructure would enable the ABS to better manage quality risks and make better statistical use of information available to governments and the community."

Cancelling the census would save hundreds of millions of dollars but those who rely on the census for the population and demographics insights it offers said it was a terrible idea.

The last census held in 2011 was the nation's largest logistical peacetime operation requiring 43,000 field staff to deliver 14.2 million forms to 9.8 million households — at a total cost of about $440 million.

The next census is due to be held in August 2016 and the ABS said preparations were well underway.

The requirement to hold a census every five years is written into legislation and any change to that would have to be passed by Parliament.

The data collected from the census was invaluable for demographers, social researchers and for helping political leaders to frame policy.

I think it's nonsense. I think it's just silly. You cannot run a country without this basic data and I think to contemplate reducing the quality of the census is absurd. Social analyst David Chalke

However, increasingly governments have baulked at the cost of the census with both the Fraser and Keating governments previously suggesting ditching the census as a money-saving exercise.

The British government has done the same, New Zealand has put the census under review for scaling back and Canada scrapped its compulsory census five years ago.

Asked about the future of the census, a spokeswoman for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Kelly O'Dwyer, said "the Government and the Bureau of Statistics (ABS) are consulting with a wide range of stakeholders about the best methods to deliver high quality, accurate and timely information on the social and economic condition of Australian households".

The ABS which conducts the census every five years, was targeted for budget cuts by both Coalition and Labor governments and there was concern about resourcing in the wake of problems with data used in crucial ABS employment figures.

Social analyst David Chalke, who works with Australia Scan, an annual monitor of social change in Australia, said the idea of scrapping the census was alarming.

"I think it's nonsense. I think it's just silly," Mr Chalke said.

"You cannot run a country without this basic data and I think to contemplate reducing the quality of the census is absurd."

Demography expert Bernard Salt agreed.

"We are barely 24 million people spread across a vast continent, growing at 400,000 per year – which is almost a record rate – so arguably Australia, more than any country, needs a good census," he said.

Mr Salt said Australia's census led the world in terms of the quality of the information it gathered.

"Arguably an investment in a census is an investment in future efficiency. We need to be really efficient in the allocation of public and private investment funds, and you can only do that if you have good information systems," he said.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said while the census could be done more efficiently, he did not believe it should be axed.

"I think what the Government needs to do here is to explain the benefits of any proposed changes. I think there are problems with the way the census covers facts and an up-to-date basis, every five years as opposed to annual measures. Important issues like homelessness can get overlooked," he said.

"I can't help wondering why is this Government's response to every situation to cut and cut and cut?

"Why is it when it comes to researching facts for the Australian people, they want to cut the fact-gathering body which can tell Australians more about themselves. I'm sure things can be done more efficiently."

Topics: information-and-communication, population-and-demographics, community-and-society, australia

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