1304.5 - Stats Talk WA, Dec 2008  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 10/12/2008   
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Client Liaison
Summary of Events

Combined ESCG & SSCG
On 3 December the WA office of the ABS held a joint Economics Statistics Consultative Group (ESCG) and Social Statistics Consultative Group (SSCG) meeting in the Exchange Plaza, Perth.

Phil Smythe delivered a presentation describing the recently released population projections and the implications for future planning.

Erwin Swasbrook from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure spoke on their population forecasts.

The joint groups were also updated on the development of performance indicators linked to the COAG initiatives and the consultation process with WA agencies for the WA Indicator Framework System (WAIFS).

SBDC Outposting
What is the contribution of small business to the WA economy? That’s a question the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) has been asking for quite a while.

To help them obtain this and other small business related measures the SBDC has engaged an ABS outposted officer, Kim Juhasz, to investigate the issues and devise possible solutions.

As part of this project a forum was held at the SBDC offices gathering interested parties to discuss their requirements in relation to small business.

This meeting demonstrated that there is strong interest in small business statistics and the results of the SBDC/ABS collaboration.

Australian Social Trends
On Tuesday 16 September, Dr. Paul Jelfs, the branch head of Social Analysis and Reporting at the ABS, held an Information Session to announce the release of the Australian Social Trends Publication (cat. no. 4102.0).

The publication presents statistical analysis and commentary on a wide range of current social issues. Articles are organised into eight chapters including population; family and community; health; education and training; work; economic resources; and housing, as well as a chapter of articles covering other areas of social concern.

Paul’s presentation interpreted the results of the publication and highlighted points of interest, such as WA towns that had experienced population increases as a result of the minerals boom.