A View From The Top

From Michael Tindall, the ABS WA Regional Director

As 2007 draws to a close, it is timely to reflect on the events and outcomes that have been achieved. My first year with the ABS as Regional Director in Perth has been challenging and also very enjoyable. As well as the enthusiastic and professional support within the ABS, and the WA Office in particular, I have appreciated the important contributions made by a wide variety of people across the WA government and community.

I am very pleased to see progress made on collaborative projects including the development of the WA Indicator Framework System (WAIFS); the establishment of a node on the National Data Network (NDN) for the Telethon Institute of Child Health Research (TICHR); and the development of synergies between the NDN and the Shared Land Information Platform (SLIP).

In addition, 2007 has been momentus for the release of the 2006 Census. This included Census data released free on the ABS website through products such as QuickStats, MapStats, Census Tables and Community Profiles. This will be followed, in 2008, by the release of CDATA Online and Table Builder.

I wish to thank the members of the Statistical Policy Committee (SPC) and the Economic and Social Statistics Consultative Groups (ESCG/SSCG) for their contributions throughout the year. The input of these groups is vital for ensuring that the highest state and national statistical priorities are identified and addressed.

Four cross-jurisdictional themes - Local Level Demography, Local Level Economic, Children and Youth and Indigenous - were addressed at an ABS conference held in Perth. Outcomes from the conference will provide input to the formulation of natonal work programs and locally based projects.

I look forward to the challenges that 2008 will bring and the good relationships between the ABS and WA agencies in furthering informed decision making. In the meantime, I wish everyone, and your families, a safe and very happy festive season.