Count us in on Census night

Cr Davison Nawirridj, ABS Regional Engagement Manager Selena Stewart, Cr Helen Williams, ABS Enumeration Manager Ian Douglass and Enumeration Support Officer Tamekia Bullen during the Census team's visit to Jabiru.

STAFF from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) attended a council meeting this month to talk about why it is important to count everyone in the West Arnhem region in the upcoming census.

Regional Engagement Manager Selena Stewart told councillors that the data collected was used to ensure vital services are delivered to all Australians, including those living in remote areas who might otherwise slip under the radar.

On Tuesday 9 August 2016, the Australian Census of Population and Housing will count close to 10 million dwellings and approximately 24 million people in Australia on Census night.

“At the last Census count in 2006, Kakadu had a non-response group of 20 per cent,” Ms Stewart said.

“This data influences how much funding each community receives from the GST and from Commonwealth and Territory government agencies.”

She said by being under-represented in the count, the region could miss out on much-needed funding for services such as health, housing and education.

“What we need to do is encourage our people to be included in the Census, and count people and the dwellings in which they reside, including campsites, humpies, and couch sleepers,” she said.

LGANT President Damien Ryan said residents could contribute to the financial viability of their communities by participating in the Census.

“It is important that the message gets out to all Territory communities that the census data collected is about providing funding for services, not penalising residents.”