NOTES

FORTHCOMING ISSUES

ISSUE	Release Date
July 2011	30 June 2011
August 2011	28 July 2011
September 2011	31 August 2011
October 2011	30 September 2011
November 2011	31 October 2011

IN THIS ISSUE

Where available, the statistics in this issue are presented as time series for the last three years of annual data, the last nine quarters or 15 months of data. To assist analysis most tables include percentage movements, as well as levels, of series.

Quarterly and monthly data for most series, and annual data for a limited number of series, are available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for earlier periods than that shown in this publication. Many series can be obtained on electronic media. Inquiries should be directed to the National Information Service on 1300 135 070 or <client.services@abs.gov.au>.


IMPACT OF FLOODS ON ABS DATA

Floods in Eastern Australia have affected many households and businesses, and impacted on thousands of people's lives. It will take time before communities will be able to return to what could be described as normal conditions. As a consequence of this, the ABS suspended data collection activities until 31 January in places declared official disaster areas.

The suspension of activity means that there is likely to be a significant level of under-reporting in ABS surveys that are in the field during this time. The ABS also relies on data supplied by government agencies which have also been disrupted by the floods.

The ABS is assessing the impact of the floods on particular ABS data series, and wherever possible, will adapt statistical methods to take account of the additional loss of source data.

Extra commentary will be included in publications about: the real-world impact of the disaster reflected in statistics; the impact on the quality of the statistics; and any adjustments to standard methodology that occurred. Australian Economic Indicators (AEI) users wishing to see the impact on statistics should view the source publication cited at the bottom of each AEI table.

Some ABS publications used to compile AEI may be delayed by up to two weeks. People wishing to inquire about the timing of releases, or the impact of the floods on ABS data, can also contact 1300 175 070


SYMBOLS AND OTHER USAGES

See the Abbreviations section following the Explanatory Notes.


INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070, email client.services@abs.gov.au or Ms Jo Jackson on Canberra (02) 6252 6114, email <economic.indicators@ abs.gov.au>.