A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome to the October 2010 edition of the Migrant Statistics News brought to you from the National Migrant Statistics Unit (NMSU).
As usual, there has been much activity in the NMSU over the past 6 months as we continue in our pursuit of providing policy makers and the wider research community with both relevant and timely migrant related data. Migration issues remain in the spotlight, as public debate continues around topics such as sustainable population growth in light of economic, social and environmental considerations. The importance of providing information that forms a strong evidence base for both policy making and policy evaluation has never been more critical.
In keeping with this, I am pleased to advise of the release of a new edition of Perspectives on Migrants (cat. no. 3416.0). This latest edition includes two articles providing results from statistical studies using experimental data from the ABS Census Data Enhancement (CDE) project. The articles source information from the Statistical Longitudinal Census Dataset (SLCD). The SLCD contains de-identified records from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's Settlement Database that had been statistically linked to a 5% sample file from the 2006 Census. Two analytical studies were conducted, each resulting in an article; Settlement Outcomes for Humanitarian Program Migrants - Experimental Estimates from the Migrants Statistical Study; and Economic Outcomes of Skilled Program Migrants - Experimental Estimates from the Migrants Statistical Study.
The ABS has been very busy over the past months as planning for the 2011 Census continues to gear up. Census activities will culminate next year in what has been described as the largest peace time logistical exercise in Australia. Information sessions are being held from now until November about planned Census 2011 outputs and products. Please see the article in this newsletter providing links to the National timetable if you are interested in attending a session.
In the last newsletter, we noted the release of an ABS Information Paper outlining improved methods for estimating Net Overseas Migration (cat. no. 3412.0.55.001). Using these improved methods, the ABS has published net overseas migration by visa type for the very first time in the annual publication Migration, Australia 2008-09 (cat. no. 3412.0) released on 28 July 2009. This publication also includes data about interstate migration and Australia's resident population by country of birth.
As flagged in our April Newsletter, the second NatStats conference NatStats 2010 , was held in Sydney over September 15th-17th. The conference theme was "Measuring what counts: economic development, well-being and progress in 21st century Australia" with the focus being on the value of statistics in helping Australia face future challenges. For those of you who were able to attend this conference, I'm sure you would have found it a very worthwhile, informative and enjoyable experience. A set of recommendations were drafted during and presented at the end of the conference. These are currently being finalised ready for release on the 20 October 2010.
It is by no coincidence that the 20th October, is in fact the first World Statistics Day. To celebrate, the ABS will be hosting a range of activities, including the release of the NatStats 2010 Conference Recommendations and the results of the Community Trust in ABS Statistics survey. The aim of World Statistics Day is to raise awareness - nationally and internationally - of the many achievements of official statistics, premised on the core values of service, professionalism and integrity. For more information about World Statistics Day, including the activities planned in other countries, please visit the UN WSD 2010 Website
In keeping with this theme readers should put 30 November to 3 December 2010 in their diary. The 15th Biennial Australian Population Association Conference in being held on the Gold Coast, Queensland during this time. The theme of the conference is 'the impacts of generational change'. The conference allows attendees to hear about the latest developments in official statistics, find out about new population related research and, importantly, network with others interested in population issues.
If you are interested in receiving further details about the NMSU's work, we would be pleased to hear from you. NMSU contact details are listed in the Newsletter. In the meantime - we hope you find this newsletter interesting and informative.
Andrew Middleton
Director
Culture, Recreation and Migrant Statistics
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