Davies reminds households to complete Census on Tuesday
Author: Mia Davies
Published on: 05-August-2011
Member for the Agricultural Region, Mia Davies has urged individuals and families living in regional WA to complete their Census forms on Tuesday 9 August 2011.
Ms Davies said the Census is vitally important for regional Western Australia, because this information influences funding for services and infrastructure.
“The Census gives governments and decision makers a snapshot of information to determine policies and decide how much money is spent and where,” Ms Davies said.
“If you’re missed in the Census, it might work out that your region gets less funding for essential services such as roads, airports, medical services, education and infrastructure.
“In the past, statistical information for regional WA has not reflected the real extent of population growth, which makes it difficult to substantiate funding increases in the region.
“Census data is also used by businesses to make investment decisions, such as justifying opening a business in town, so it’s essential to record the correct information.”
Ms Davies said Census information is confidential and is not shared with other agencies, such as the Department of Housing, Centrelink or the Australian Tax Office.
“This is a way of providing feedback to government on the needs of your town.
Ms Davies said with a high number of fly-in / fly-out workers in some parts of regional WA, it is important their usual place of residence is recorded correctly.
“If you are a fly-in / Fly-out worker and spend more than half your time in regional WA, you need to include your mining camp as your ‘usual place of residence’.
“This is especially important if you are off-shift and in Perth on Census night.
“The same applies for people who are travelling at Census time - make sure you list your usual place as residence as your home town.”
For more information visit
www.abs.gov.au/Census or phone the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census Inquiry Service on 1300 338 776.
