1100.2 - Statistics Victoria (Newsletter), Issue 1, 2003
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/05/2003
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In this issue: Local Government and ABS is a quarterly newsletter provided by ABS to help the Local Government Sector easily find information on the ABS website for planning and other community servicing decisions. The first edition of Local Government and ABS (March 2003) is now available on the ABS website (via News, Newsletters, Local Government and ABS). For further information contact Jeff Bulger (08) 82377621 or email jeff.bulger@abs.gov.au. Launch of Ageing Theme Page The National Ageing Statistics Unit (NASU) launched a new Ageing Theme Page on the ABS web site in January 2003. It is designed as a guide for users with a particular interest in the social and economic impacts of ageing. The theme page provides a link to the quarterly NASU newsletter, Age Matters, the first edition was launched simultaneously with the theme page. The Ageing Theme Page can be accessed through the ABS website at, themes, ageing (under 'people' heading). There are links to special articles on ageing as published in ABS flagship publications, as well as links to main features of some irregular publications on older people. Publications containing age-related data are also listed, along with publications to be released in the near future. Upcoming national and international conferences on ageing are listed. It also includes links to related theme pages on the ABS web site, as well as links to non-ABS web sites (both national and international) which may be of interest to users. For further information contact Dave Martyn on 07 3222 6206 or david.martyn@abs.gov.au. Following several months of software improvements and upgrades, the official date for the Second Release of CDATA 2001 is set for 26 June 2003. Regional councils and State government offices which have purchased the product can expect to receive their copies within three working days of this date. Second Release CDATA 2001 replaces First Release, which was shipped on 26 September 2002. Major improvements will be inclusion of the final 12 tables of the Basic Community Profile not included with First Release, completion of the Time Series Profile (previously only 1991 and 1996 data was available), and inclusion of software to enable the addition of Add-on Datapaks to the product. The ABS is also releasing the CDATA 2001 Add-on Datapaks over the next few months. While CDATA 2001 Full GIS and Quickbuild both include the Basic Community and Time Series Profiles, several other Community Profiles exist which can be added to CDATA 2001. These profiles include the Expanded, Usual Residence, Indigenous and Working Population Community Profiles, and Socio Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA 2001). The release of these packs will be staggered from June to September 2003, and ABS is taking orders and registrations of interest now. For any questions on these issues or any other issues relating to CDATA, or Census data in general, ABS staff are knowledgeable and ready to help. Over the next month ABS Client Management Support staff will be conducting complimentary visits to several regional centres to discuss issues relating to CDATA, Census Data, and Local Government use and needs of ABS data. We hope these visits will help to foster closer relations between the ABS and Local Government, and help ABS staff better understand the statistical needs of Victorian Councils. For more information, please contact Peter Rochester on (03) 9615 7769 or email peter.rochester@abs.gov.au. STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENTS Framework for education and training statistics Measuring Learning in Australia: A Framework for Education and Training Statistics (cat. no. 4213.0, $10), was released on 29 January, 2003. It has been developed by the National Centre for Education and Training Statistics within the ABS. The framework is a joint initiative of the Department of Education, Science and Training; the Australian National Training Authority; all state and territory education and training departments; and the ABS. The presented framework is a suggested way of thinking about 'learning' (education and training) statistics. Reflecting the area's complexity, there are many ways that such a framework could have been drawn up. However, the ABS is confidant that there is sufficient consensus for the framework to be put forward as an appropriate way of viewing statistics in this area. For details visit the National Centre for Education and Training Statistics (NCETS) theme page on the ABS web site. Contact Kirsty Leslie on (02) 6252-6401 or email kirsty.leslie@abs.gov.au. Developments in regional statistics - North East Victoria Regional Project The North East project was a joint project between ABS and Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC). The project's central aim is to improve policy makers' understanding about the capability of regions to measure performance, particularly by using indicators that align with Growing Victoria Together (GVT). The project explores whether important state issues and priority actions listed in the GVT document could be replicated at a regional level. The North East Victoria Region (NEVR) was defined to include 11 Local Government Areas: Alpine (S), Delatite (S), Greater Shepparton (S), Indigo(S), Mitchell (S), Moira(S), Murrindindi (S), Strathbogie (S), Towong (S), Wangaratta (S) and Wodonga (RC). Initial research focussed on work previously commissioned by the North East Steering Committee, comprising senior managers from a range of departments, authorities and organisations in the North East area. Local North East sources were able to provide a guide to some data. However, much of the data was held centrally in organisation head offices (usually in Melbourne). The project demonstrated that there was a wide range of data that could contribute to the regional dimensions of GVT reporting; with the caveat that some data is often much easier to obtain than information about the quality, consistency and standards used to obtain it. An example of researched data is household waste and recycling rates. The Victorian Municipal Data Collection was conducted by Regional Waste Management Groups (WMG), with Local Government Councils providing data about various aspects of their waste management services.
The project final report identifies important research issues, and will be available through the abs@vicgov consultancy container shortly, under 'ABS Information consultancies - 0. Multi-subject Consultancies'. Producer Price Indexes Changes to Producer Price Indexes (cat. no. 6427.0, $23) were introduced in the September quarter 2002. For the first time, price indexes for house construction, residential building other than houses, non-residential building, and road and bridge construction were included. Information for capital cities is included in some tables. For more information contact Mark Dubner on (02) 9268-4448 or email mark.dubner@abs.gov.au. Statistical training The ABS VIC Statistical Training Unit runs statistical training courses throughout the year. Courses currently offered are: Basic Statistical Analysis (BSA), 21-22 May and Understanding Census Data (UCD), 16 May 2003. For further information, please contact the Statistical Training Consultant, Ms Nirmala Narasimhan on (03) 9615 7982 or email: n.narasimhan@abs.gov.au. Remote Access Data Laboratory (RADL) An important component of the ABS output strategy to maximise the amount of data available has been to support secondary analysis through access to microdata in the form of confidentialised unit record files (CURFs). However, the needs of researchers and policy makers have to be balanced with the ABS obligation to protect the identities of households and individuals. The ABS will continue to provide CURFs on CD-ROM. However, a new system, the Remote Access Data Laboratory (RADL), will facilitate access to confidentialised microdata beyond that which can be provided on CD-ROM. The RADL provides access to this data from the client's desktop via secure Web-based communication links, or in some cases through an on-site data laboratory arrangement. Clients can submit tailored queries to produce aggregated output according to their research needs. Restrictions on the nature of queries that can be run will ensure that resultant output does not constitute a threat to confidentiality. It is this level of control and user-transparency that will allow the ABS to safely provide CURF files on this system which have a greater level of detail than has previously been possible. Future features of RADL may support the analysis of augmented files and the ability to incorporate user-supplied statistical models. The first CURF to be released through RADL will be from the 2001 National Health Survey (NHS). An initial CURF file is being specifically designed for use through the RADL, to provide a greater depth of detail than available on the CD-ROM release. An even more detailed 2001 NHS CURF is planned for release through the RADL in mid-2003, when an extended 2001 Census Household Sample File is also expected to be available. Queries about the Remote Access Data Laboratory should be directed to Mike Jones on 02 6252 5698, or mike.jones@abs.gov.au. Queries about forthcoming CURF releases should be directed to Carolyn Kennedy on 02 6252 5853, or carolyn.kennedy@abs.gov.au. INFORMATION PAPERS National Information Development Plan for Crime and Justice The National Centre for Crime and Justice Statistics (NCCJS) is currently developing a National Information Development Plan (NIDP) for the crime and justice sector. This NIDP will assist in establishing the framework for future work in the area, and provide a basis for building effective partnerships with other agencies that collect or have a need for data on crime and justice. Objectives. The NIDP will lead to better use of existing data and improved data availability in the future. The objectives of the NIDP are to:
Consultation. In order to identify key policy issues relevant to each agency in relation to crime and justice, as well as their data needs, the NCCJS plans to conduct an extensive consultation process. As part of this process, a series of workshops and consultations will be held from March through July 2003. As the NCCJS will be cataloguing significant current data sources that address priority needs, information will also be sought on data that agencies currently collect, and other significant data that agencies have access to or knowledge of in relation to crime and justice. A commitment will be sought to develop partnerships that can support the strategies constructed to fill priority data gaps. For further information contact: Karen Gelb (Assistant Director, NCCJS) on (03) 9615-7681 or email: karen.gelb@abs.gov.au. RECENT AND EXPECTED RELEASES Melbourne Social Atlas The Melbourne Social Atlas (cat. no. 2030.2, $75) was released on 11 Feb 2003. It uses choropleth maps to illustrate a range of social, demographic and economic characteristics for greater Melbourne. Themes include: population, ethnicity, education, families and households, income, labour force, dwellings, and internet use. Based on collection district level information from the 2001 Census of Population and Housing, the maps readily convey population density information on selected characteristics. A brief commentary with each map highlights the main features. In August 2001, Melbourne's population was 3,132,900 persons. For further information contact Heather Burns on (03) 9615-7976 or email heather.burns@abs.gov.au. Australia's environment The second edition of Australia's Environment: Issues and Trends (cat.no. 4613.0) is due for release in late May 2003. The publication explores the relationships between Australia's society, economy and environment; and focuses on the economic and other values that can be placed on Australia's environment and natural resources. It explains ways of measuring economic, social and environmental changes and conditions; and the economic aspects and environmental impacts of the agriculture, forestry and mining industries. Waste and waste management are also addressed. For further information contact Michael Vardon on (02) 6252 7348 or email michael.vardon@abs.gov.au. Non-profit institutions Australian National Accounts: Non-profit Institutions Satellite Account, 1999-2000 (cat. no. 5256.0) was released on 28 November 2002. It is the first ABS publication to focus specifically on the non-profit institutions (NPI) sector as a whole and its contribution to the Australian economy. Non-profit institutions play an important role in the provision of welfare, social and other services in Australia. Measuring the non-profit sector as a satellite account enables key economic indicators, such as the sector's contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to be identified. It also shows the value of services provided by NPIs and their relationship with other sectors such as household, government and corporation. Data is also presented on employment, as well as the contribution of volunteer labour to the sector. Only Australia level data are included in the publication. For further information contact Luisa Ryan on (02) 6252 7346 or email luisa.ryan@abs.gov.au. National Health Survey: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Indigenous results from the 2001 National Health Survey (NHS) were released on 20 November 2002 in National Health Survey, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Results (cat. no. 4715.0). The publication focuses on health status measures, health service use and lifestyle factors which affect people's health. Information for the non-Indigenous population, and selected data from the 1995 NHS, are also included. Data is at the Australia level only. A National Health Survey: Users Guide, 2001 also provides definitional material and sample copies of the questionnaires. The guide was released in January 2003, and can be accessed through the ABS website at, themes, health (under 'people' heading), 2001 National Health Survey, 2001 National Health Survey User Guide. For further information contact Cathy Williams on (02) 6252 7996 or email cathy.williams@abs.gov.au. Sport and recreation Sport and Recreation Funding by Government, Australia 2000-2001 (cat. no. 4147.0) was released on 19 November 2002. Estimates of Australian government funding for sport and recreation activities, facilities and services during 2000-01 are presented. Several tables have state level data. For further information contact Lisa Conolly on (08) 8237 7402 or email lisa.conolly@abs.gov.au. Underutilised labour Measures of underutilised labour by state and territory were recently released for the first time. The October 2002 issue of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6203.0) contained a feature article that provides, for September 2001, measures of underutilised labour by state and territory, as well as measures by age group. More detailed tables for the period September 1994 to September 2001 are available on the ABS web site. For further information contact Rhonda de Vos on (02) 6252-7437 or email rhonda.devos@abs.gov.au. Regional population growth Regional Population Growth, Australia and New Zealand, 2002 (cat. no. 3218.0) was released April 2003. It contains final 2001 and preliminary 2002 Local Government Area and Statistical Local Area population estimates. For further information contact Belinda Sloane on (02) 9268 4194 or email: belinda.sloane@abs.gov.au. Ageing Census of Population and Housing: Ageing in Australia, 2001 (cat. no. 2048.0) is a new publication due for release June 2003. It focuses on a range of characteristics of persons aged 65 years and over, as well as exploring the ageing process in Australia, by using Census data to examine trends over time. In addition, the first issue of a new quarterly ABS newsletter called Age Matters, was released in December 2002. For further information contact Dave Martyn on (07) 3222 6206, email: david.martyn@abs.gov.au or visit the ABS web site. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population Characteristics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2001 (cat. no. 4713.0) was released in April 2003. Census data is presented for the following topics: demographic and geographic distribution of the population and its growth in recent years; education and IT use; work; income; housing and transport; living arrangements; and language and religion. For further information contact Andrew Webster on (02) 6252 5583 or email: andrew.webster@abs.gov.au. General Social Survey General Social Survey, Australia, 2002 (cat.no. 4159.0) is due for release in May 2003. The General Social Survey (GSS) is the first of its type conducted by the ABS. Rather than concentrating in detail on a particular area of social concern, the GSS publication provides a wide range of social information about individuals, making it possible to explore linkages between areas of social concern. Topics include: health; housing; education; work; income; financial stress; assets and liabilities; family and community; transport; and crime. For further information contact Graeme Groves on (02) 6252 5943 or email:graeme.groves@abs.gov.au. Population Population, Australian States and Territories - Electronic Publication, Sep 2002 (3239.0.55.001)(charges may apply) released 18 February 2003. Contains estimates of the total resident population for States, Territories and Australia required annually for the purposes of A New Tax System (Commonwealth-State Financial Arrangements) Act 1999 and irregularly for the purposes of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. These estimates, together with more detailed information, are also published quarterly in Australian Demographic Statistics (3101.0). For further information contact Anne Ward on (02) 6252-6296 or email anne.ward@abs.gov.au. Environment Environment by Numbers: Selected Articles on Australia's Environment, 2003 (4617.0) ($41) released 19 February 2003. Reproduces articles on sustainability and the environment that were featured in the 2003 ABS Year Book. Articles cover climate change, Australia's rivers, renewable energy, forest conservation and wood use; as well as the impacts of agriculture, fishing, mining, manufacturing, transport and construction on the environment. For more information contact Beth Edwards on (02) 6252 5553, email: beth.edwards@abs.gov.au. Usual Residents Profile Census of Population and Housing: Usual Residents Profile, 2001 (2004.0) ($10 per area) released 18 March 2003. Community Profiles are a set of standard tables which contain key social, demographic and economic characteristics of people, families and dwellings. The Profiles, which form the core of many Census products, are available for Australian Standard Geographic Classification (ASGC) areas and other standard Census geographic areas. They are an economical way of obtaining a statistical picture of a community and making comparisons between different areas or different population groups. An excellent tool for research and planning. The Community Profile Series will be available in hardcopy or electronically with a selected range of tables available via the Internet. Electronic versions of the Community Profiles will continue to be provided with free windows-based manipulation software which allows users to view, select and print data. It is anticipated that 2001 Census Profiles will be available in formats suitable for use with a range of spreadsheets and databases. The Usual Residents Profile (URP) will contain 28 tables similar to the Basic and Expanded Profiles, based on the usual residents of Statistical Local Areas (SLA) and aggregates of SLAs. For further information contact Heather Burns on (03) 9615-7976 or email heather.burns@abs.gov.au. Census of Population and Housing: Time Series Community Profile, 2001 (2003.0) ($10) released 28 January 2003. The Times Series Profile (TSP) will contain approximately 22 tables similar to those in the Basic and Expanded Profiles, comprising data (where the classifications are comparable) from the 1991, 1996 and 2001 Censuses. The TSP will be available for SLAs and aggregates. The Census question relating to income will use the same response ranges in 2001 as in 1996. The TSP will include, for the first time, a table comparing numbers of people in each income range in the two Census years (not indexed). For further information contact Heather Burns on (03) 9615-7976 or email heather.burns@abs.gov.au. Census of Population and Housing: Selected Characteristics for Urban Centres and Localities, Victoria. (2016.2)($32) released 25 March 2003. This publication has data comparisons for 1996 and 2001 using 1996 figures based on the same physical Urban Centre and Locality boundaries as 2001. The attached excel file provides comparisons using the Urban Centre and Locality boundaries as they were in 1996. This excel file is provided free of charge. For further information contact Heather Burns on (03) 9615-7976 or email heather.burns@abs.gov.au. Employer Training Expenditure and Practices, Australia, 2001-02 (6362.0) ($23.00); released 2 April 2003. Contains information on employer provided training in Australia. Statistics on the direct costs incurred by organisations in providing structured training to employees are presented by industry, state and employer size for both the private and public sectors. Statistics on the proportion of businesses providing structured, unstructured and no training are also presented by industry, state, sector and employer size, and by workforce composition, registered training organisation status and years of operation. Methods and types of training, details of training providers used, reasons for training, change in the level of training and factors affecting training are also included. Population by Age and Sex, Australia - Electronic Delivery, June 2001 Final (3235.0.55.001); released 3 April 2003. Contains the estimated resident population by age (in five-year age groups up to 85 and over) and sex for each Statistical Local Area, Statistical Subdivision and Statistical Division in Australia at 30 June of the reference year. Estimates for Local Government and other areas using Statistical Local Areas as a base can be derived from these estimates. Estimates for Postal Areas and for Population Census Collection Districts are available on request. The 2001 Australia datacube is $285, and the 1991 & 1996 datacube is $305. For further information contact Matthew Montgomery on 02 6252-6487 or email matthew.montgomery@abs.gov.au. Crime and Safety, Australia (cat.no. 4509.0) is due for release 11 June 2003. This publication contains summary data on household break-ins, attempted break-ins, motor vehicle theft, personal robberies, assaults and sexual assaults, in the 12 months prior to the survey in April 2002. It will provide information on the most recent incident, including whether it was reported to police and offender information. Data are classified by demographic characteristics. It will include some state and territory data, and some limited comparisons with the 1993, 1995 and 1998 Crime and Safety Surveys. It is also expected that there will be a number of state level standard data sets available, where appropriate, similar to table data in the publication. For more information email crime.justice@abs.gov.au. Prisoners in Australia, 2002 (cat. no. 4517.0) was released February 2003. This annual publication contains a wide range of information on prisoners who were in custody on 30 June of the reference year. Topics include: number of people in correctional institutions; imprisonment rates; most serious offence and sentence length; prisoner characteristics (age, sex, Indigenous status); and type of prisoner. Some state level data is presented. For further information contact Julie Cole on (03) 9615 7381 or email julie.cole@abs.gov.au. Information Paper: Suicides, Australia, 2002 (cat.no. 3309.0.55.001) was released February 2003. Using data derived from cause of death statistics, this new electronic-only publication provides an update on summary statistics for suicides registered in Australia in 2001. Data are presented by age and sex, method of suicide, and state or territory of usual residence. Numbers of deaths and standardised death rates for 1991 to 2001 are shown for comparison. For more information contact Chris Gordon on (02) 6252 7318 or email chris.gordon@abs.gov.au. International Merchandise Trade, Australia, December Quarter 2002 (cat. no. 5422.0) was released February 2003. Features an article on 'Australia's Exporters and Importers'. It includes: an estimate of the total number of exporters and importers of goods and services in Australia; number of goods exporters by state of production of exports; and analysis by industry, value of exports/imports, size of business and export patterns. The article is available free on the ABS web site. For more information contact Christine McLaughlin on (02) 6252 5501 or email christine.mclaughlin@abs.gov.au. Gambling impact on retail trade Retail Trade, Australia, December 2002 (cat. no. 8501.0, released April 2003), featured an article on the 'Contribution of Gambling to Retail Estimates'. It examines the impact on retail estimates of net proceeds received from licensed gambling activities in hotels and licensed clubs, including commission from TAB and Keno transactions in hotels and clubs, net takings from Bingo, net revenue received from poker machines and other electronic gaming machines. Contains some state level commentary and tables. For more information contact Kate Bradbury on (02) 6252 5730, email: kate.bradbury@abs.gov.au. OTHER SELECTED RECENT AND EXPECTED RELEASES
Free access to ABS publications. People working in Victorian government agencies and local government offices should be able to access ABS publications at no cost from their desktop PCs using the ABS@ facility. ABS@ has all ABS publications from 1998 onwards in pdf format, 2001 Community Profiles at all geographic levels, time series spreadsheets in Excel format and datacubes. In local government, the council's extranet coordinator must register a person as a user. In state government agencies access to ABS@ is through the Victorian state government intranet (or Lotus Notes in some Departments), on the index page using the research and information button; with no registration required. For further information contact Heather Burns, Manager, ABS Information Consultancy Section on 03 9615 7976 or email: heather.burns@abs.gov.au. Email is the preferred mode of contact. POINTS OF CONTACT Victorian Statistics Advisory Committee (VSAC) VSAC is a major forum for statistical liaison between Victorian Government Agencies and the ABS. Dr Michael Kirby from the Department of Treasury and Finance chairs VSAC, and is also the State representative on the Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC). The following group of departmental representatives meets 2-3 times each year. Departmental Representatives
Contact Points for ABS Victoria Dial-a-Statistics 1900 986 400 ($0.77 per minute) National Information and Referral Service Telephone: 1300 135 070 Fax: 1300 135 211 email: client.services@abs.gov.au Bookshop, Library and Information Services Level 5, CGU Tower, 485 LaTrobe Street Melbourne Vic 3001 Postal Address GPO Box 2796Y Melbourne Vic 3001 ABS Website www.abs.gov.au Regional director ABS Victoria Vince Lazzaro Telephone: (03) 9615 7345 Fax: 03 9615 7387 Email: julianne.patterson@abs.gov.au State Government Liaison Officer Terence Byrnes Telephone: (03) 9615 7457 Fax: (03) 9615 7002 email: t.byrnes@abs.gov.au Statistics Victoria Editor Alan Page Telephone: (03) 9615 7899 email: alan.page@abs.gov.au Spread the news electronically Copies of Statistics Victoria are available for electronic dissemination. There are two ways to access an electronic copy of the newsletter: 1. Elect to receive your copy of this newsletter in PDF format by contacting Alan Page on (03) 9625-7899 or email alan.page@abs.gov.au. The ABS encourages further dissemination of this newsletter through email, or by its placement on your organisation's intranet. 2. Go to the ABS Web site at www.abs.gov.au. Choose News from the menu bar, then go to Newsletters. You can access current and previous copies of Statistics Victoria, as well as many other ABS newsletters. Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window.
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