1304.5 - Stats Talk WA (Newsletter), Dec 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/01/2005   
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View from the Top - A message from Alan Hubbard, Regional Director ABS Western Australia

New Strategic Directions

The recent review of the ABS strategic position and directions will have important implications for how the ABS operates in the future. Recommendations from the review include:

  • giving greater priority to statistical leadership activities in relation to non-ABS statistics;
  • be more responsive to user needs;
  • improve the process of establishing national statistical priorities; and
  • improve relationship management with users of ABS statistics.

Consideration is now being given to how these recommendations will be implemented. Additional funds will be sought to support the changes.


Regional Offices

Regional Offices play a key role in meeting and prioritising the statistical needs of State government, business and the community. They are at the forefront of statistical leadership activities, improving the quality and availability of statistics from all government bodies. The challenge to the local office is to continue to be innovative and to escalate current improvements.


Regional Presentations

ABS staff are currently conducting meetings in regional centres focussing on the scope and availability of State data. Recent presentations in Kalgoorlie, Bunbury and Geraldton have been well received and visits to Albany and Esperance are planned for early next year.


State Statistical Forum (SSF)

2005 State statistical priorities, including new and ongoing needs, have now been identified and will be considered by the SSF. The SSF is a special meeting of state representatives and ABS senior management convened by the Australian Statistician, and is the main avenue for developing ABS responses to state requirements. I would like to thank all state agencies for their input to this process.


2006 Population Census

The information to be collected from the 2006 Population Census has yet to be approved by government and consultation continues on the best means of disseminating the 2006 data. Regional offices are responsible for conducting the Census in their jurisdiction. In WA around 3500 temporary field staff will be recruited and trained for the 2006 Census.


Indigenous Engagement Manager

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Marissa Russ to the recently created position of Indigenous Engagement Manager. This position has been created in recognition of the need to provide feedback to the Indigenous community on the information collected from them by the ABS, to help Indigenous agencies make better use of statistics in their planning processes and to foster community support for the Population Census and other Indigenous related surveys. Marissa will support a range of activities including providing ABS awareness sessions and statistical training to the Indigenous community and agencies.