THE DIRECTOR'S CUT
WELCOME TO THE DECEMBER EDITION OF ABSTRACT
The 2011 Census of Population and Housing will be held on 9 August 2011. With 9 months to go the ACT Office is focussed on delivering the best outcome for the ACT Community. For a small jurisdiction, such as the ACT, the Census is an invaluable source of information to support the development and monitoring of policy.
Critical to the successful running of the Census is the quality of the collectors we recruit. We require people that have high levels of both people and administrative skills and we need the support of the ACT Government and community in finding the right people. Departments could consider allowing their staff to undertake this work; in particular it would be an excellent development opportunity for next year's graduates to make an important contribution to the community.
We also need the support and assistance of community groups. Staff and volunteers have good relationships with some of the groups in our community that are harder to find on Census night such as homeless persons. Whether they assist a collector or become collectors themselves, the support of this sector of the community is essential for a successful census to be run.
In addition, ACT Policing have agreed to work with us to ensure the safety of our collectors as they visit every house in the Territory.
As in 2006 the ABS is offering the option of filling the Census in online through eCensus. The process is quick and efficient and I would encourage all ACT residents to take up this option.
A large amount of work has already been done, however there is much more to be done. Staff of the ACT Office will spend much of next year out talking to community groups and government officials so that we deliver the best possible Census for the ACT Community.
Finally, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Stephen Collett - ACT office Regional Director
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