Media release – Australian Bureau of Statistics, 9 August 2021
Census information hubs available with local help
Across the country, census information hubs will provide local help for people in their community for the 2021 Census.
Information hubs provide on-the-ground, face-to-face help to make it easier for people to complete the census. Hubs are located in high traffic areas such as shopping centres and supermarkets.
In Tasmania, the hub is located at the Queenstown Library, St Helens Library, Woolworths – Glenorchy, Glenorchy Library, Kingston Library, Bridgewater Library, Strahan Library, Devonport Library, George Town Library and Sorell Library.
The census counts each household and person in Australia on census night, Tuesday 10 August. It’s used to inform important decisions about transport, schools, health care, infrastructure and business. It also helps plan local services for individuals, families and communities.
Georgia Chapman, Director of Census Inclusive Strategies, said “We are making it as easy as possible for people to participate in the 2021 Census with a range of support and assistance to help people complete their census form, this includes our information hubs.”
Census staff will be available to support the community by providing information, access to paper forms and raising local awareness about the benefits to everyone by completing the census.
Fill in the form sessions and information sessions will also be held in a range of community settings, including local libraries and community centres.
An interactive map with the locations of face to face help is available on the census website at census.abs.gov.au/supporters/find-us.
Media release – Just.Equal Australia, 9 August 2021
LABOR SAYS YES TO LGBTIQA+ CENSUS COUNT
STATISTICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA SIGNS DECLARATION
Just.Equal Australia has welcomed support from Labor shadow assistant treasurer, Stephen Jones, for counting LGBTIQA+ people in the Census.
Mr Jones, whose portfolio covers the Bureau of Statistics and the Census, made the comment following a call from Just.Equal Australia on Friday for Labor to reveal its policy on the issue.
Labor’s stance contrasts with the Federal Government’s opposition to counting LGBTIQA+ people in the 2021 Census to be held tomorrow.
Just.Equal Australia spokesperson, Dr Charlie Burton, said,
“We are now hopeful that Labor, if elected, will ensure LGBTIQA+ people are counted in the 2026 Census.”
“We look forward to working with other LGBTIQA+ community groups to make sure Labor sticks to its commitment.”
“It is vital we understand the demographic profile of LGBTIQA+ Australians so governments and community organisations can develop better policies and plans for delivering their services.”
“Three simple questions about sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics would allow the Bureau of Statistics to develop that demographic profile.”
Mr Jones told the Illawarra Mercury that LGBTQIA+ people “should have been counted in this Census.”
“The Census should be a snapshot of what our community looks like, not what we think it looks like”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Statistical Society of Australia, a national body for professionals working with statistics, has signed on to the Census Declaration initiated by Just.Equal Australia.
Dr Burton welcomed the SSA’s sign-on saying it shows the idea of counting LGBTIQA+ people in the Census has increasing support.
The declaration can be found here: https://www.equal.org.au/2021_
