Australian Bureau of Statistics

INFORMATION DEVELOPMENT STEERING COMMITTEE

The Information Development Steering Committee (IDSC) was established in early 2007. The Steering Committee consists of senior representatives from ACT Government agencies (including Chief Ministers Department and Treasury) and the ABS ACT Regional Director, as required. The Committee is chaired by the Deputy Chief Executive, Policy, Chief Ministers Department.

On June 5 2008, the Australia capital Territory Information Development Plan 2008-2011(IDP) was signed by Andrew Cappie-Wood, Chief Executive, Chief Minister's Department and Brain Pink, Australian Statistician, ABS. The IDP provides a high level strategic framework within which the ACT government and the ABS can collaborate to improve quality and availability of statistical information for the ACT while protecting confidential information. Ten key activities have been agreed to advance the IDP


STATE STATISTICAL PRIORITIES PROCESS

The ABS annually seeks input on the information needs of state and territory governments, with the aim of improving the relevance and quality of the statistical services we provide.

In the ACT, this process involves consultation with government agencies to ascertain their strategic information needs over the next few years. Prime consideration is given to important and emerging issues that are relevant to the ACT Government's policies.

Consideration is also given to data provision issues including relevance, accuracy, timeliness, accessibility, interpretability and coherence, as well as broader statistical framework issues such as classifications and standards. The consultation process is also used to identify statistical training needs within the ACT Government.


STATISTICAL LIAISON OFFICERS

The ACT Regional Office of the ABS has assigned a Statistical Liaison Officer (SLO) for each ACT government department. The SLO acts as a primary point of contact for communication, providing advice and coordinating feedback between the department and the ABS. The role of the SLO is to:

• provide a key contact within the ABS ACT Office to support the priority activities of the Department from the Australian Capital Territory Information Development Plan 2008-2011;
• assist the department with statistical enquiries;
• input department needs to the ABS.