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National Statistical Service Update

Outpostings

ABS outposted officers are currently located within the Institute for Child Health Research, Department of the Attorney General and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) of WA.

Recent reviews by the Western Australian government recommended that the Department of Justice be split into two. The new departments were formed on 1 February 2006 – the Department of the Attorney General (DotAG) and the Department of Corrective Services (DCS). The ABS outposting will operate under DotAG. A key feature of the outposting is to identify the information requirements for the Court Services division and to assist in the development of a statistical framework which adopts the use of standards and promotes best practice.

The FESA outposting involves a review of FESA’s reporting requirements, an assessment of existing data quality and a review of data collection systems and processes. ABS outposted officers play an important role with regard to transferring knowledge and statistical skills to state government staff and improving the amount of relevant data available to users for informed decision making.

ABS partnership with the Western Australian Land Information System

The ABS has been working in partnership with the Western Australian Land Information System (WALIS) to promote strategic initiatives such as the NSS, NDN and the Shared Land Information Capture Program (SLICP). This partnership involves planning and coordinating presentations in regional areas and providing cooperation and support on strategic projects.

The ABS and WALIS delivered presentations in Kununurra on 30 November 2005 which followed an information session held in Geraldton in October. The ABS provided an overview of products and services including the availability of free statistics on the web site, statistical information available for the Kimberley region such as the national regional profile, an overview of mesh blocks, and details of the upcoming 2006 Census. The WALIS session covered SLICP, Department of Land Information (DLI) spatial data and map products, aerial and satellite imagery, pasture growth rates, vegetation monitoring and fire detection.

There were approximately 25 attendees at the forum which included staff from DLI, WALIS, Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Conservation and Land Management (CALM), and the Department of Agriculture. Further regional information sessions are scheduled for this year and will cover the ABS library extension program, initiatives associated with regional statistics and the 2006 census.

For further information contact Darryl Malam (08) 9360 5932 or email: darryl.malam@abs.gov.au