Dr Calma urges support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders survey (Media Release)

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MEDIA RELEASE
4 November 2014
Embargo: 11:30 am (Canberra Time)
152/2014

Dr Calma urges support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders survey

Specially trained interviewers from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have started collecting information from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS).

Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia and University of Canberra chancellor, Dr Tom Calma AO, is urging Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders to participate.

“I encourage all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to take part." said Dr Calma.

“Sharing your story with the ABS helps tell the bigger story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander progress and to make sure that our issues are accurately reflected in government policy, programs and services."

Fiona Shalley from the ABS says the NATSISS gathers detailed information on the socio-economic progress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people every six years.

"The survey covers a wide range of subjects including culture and cultural identity, social networks, housing, as well as health related topics such as long term health conditions, disability and self-assessed health.” said Ms Shalley.

A total of 11,500 randomly selected people will be chosen to participate, 3,000 of which will be from Australia’s remotest areas. Interviewers will be collecting information until May 2015.

Ms Shalley confirmed that any information collected is confidential. “Personal information is never shared with anybody," said Ms Shalley "Not with other government departments or agencies, organisations or research bodies, or any other person.”

“The NATSISS it's about you, it's about me. So when an ABS Interviewer knocks on your door, be ready to share your story.” said Dr Calma

Further information and a video describing NATSISS is available for viewing at www.abs.gov.au/natsiss

Media note:
When reporting ABS data the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) must be attributed as the source