For what is largely a routine procedure of everyday public administration, the census is causing a disproportionate amount of controversy.
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“We’re making far too much of this – I can’t really see what the big deal is”, Mr McCormack told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
Speaking to Neos Kosmos, Ms Kelly confirms this year’s census is the next step in a transition to an online census that has been happening for some time now.
Mr McCormack says Senator Xenophon has now been briefed on the importance of filling out the form properly.
“The linking up of data sets provides reliable and timely information for the community and government, describing Australians’ social and economic situation”.
He pointed out that while this year was the first time it was widely promoted as digital, it was not actually the first time there was the option to complete it digitally.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics takes the count every five years and uses the data to help all tiers of government decide where and how taxpayers’ money should be spent.
Those in remote areas have been posted traditional paper forms, with 38,000 field officers doorknocking homes to help out the less tech savvy.
To fill out the Census online you need a code which should have been sent to your address. You won’t get into trouble if you can’t submit your form until after 9 August.
“Completing this year’s census online wasn’t any different to completing a paper form”.
What are the penalties if I boycott the Census or simply don’t fill it out?
“It’s disappointing that so many people have misunderstood”.
“You would have to work very hard … to find someone if you were looking”.
So how long is the Census going to take to fill out?
“Those concerns aren’t legitimate”, she said.
“You don’t have to complete the census if you’re out of the country on the night”.
The Senator said he would seek to amend the Census and Statistics Act to remove the risk of prosecution if a person declines to provide their name.
Apart from the procedure, there are other changes this year in terms of content. The other very important change in the census this time around is the part where people are asked where their parents were born.
Daily Mail Australia has answers to all your questions about what to do – or what not to do – before, on, and after Census night.
In the unlikely event the system does meltdown on Tuesday night, concerned people who already have their forms can always complete it early, or wait until after the date.
Kalisch said he had spoken to Xenophon and had explained to him how the ABS would protect and use the census data it collects.
Records will be destroyed after four years. Then, why keep track at all?
It is not clear what the legal situation for such people would be, as there is debate about whether names and addresses would fit the definition of statistics in The Census and Statistics Act.
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In conclusion, the Victorian census director is adamant. By announcing its decision in a media release the Friday before Christmas, the ABS created suspicions the move was untoward. They will be used to create linkage keys, which will allow the personal information in the census to be linked to information gleaned from other surveys to provide a richer picture of those surveyed.
