Media release –
South Australia
Self-identify on the Census: Aboriginal SANFL players3 July 2011 | SA/34Sturt SANFL players Josh Cubillo and Jeremy Johncock have used the start of NAIDOC week today to encourage all young South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to self-identify on the Census of Population and Housing on 9 August 2011. Sturt footballer and high-school teacher Josh Cubillo is proud of his Aboriginal heritage and says other young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need to self-identify. “Jeremy and I will be self-identifying on the Census because it helps make it a really accurate picture of Australia, including finding out the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in South Australia,” says Mr Cubillo. “So when planning for education, housing or health services is underway, the planning is based on good quality information. “We can also find out things like how many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have attended University, and as a teacher that is important to me.” ABS Regional Director for South Australia Mike McGrath says new positions in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been created for this Census to ensure an accurate outcome. “The role of the Indigenous Assistants in city areas is to help people in the community with their Census and therefore improve the quality of the information collected,” says Mr McGrath. Mr McGrath adds that the information you give about yourself or your family on the Census form is completely private. “No other government agency will see your answers. This includes Centrelink, Housing, Community Services and the Tax Office.” For more information visit www.abs.gov.au/census. |