MESSAGE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN STATISTICIAN

I am pleased to present the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2013-2016.

2012 marked the 45th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum where more than 90 per cent of Australians were in favour of including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in official estimates of the Australian population. It is significant that the Referendum included a statistical issue, as the availability of high quality statistical information is essential for improving the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The ABS RAP 2013-16 continues to build on the ABS’ commitment to ensuring recognition and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, increasing the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ABS and continuing to build positive relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.

I would like to thank all the people who have contributed to the development of this Reconciliation Action Plan. We all have a fundamental role to play in following through the actions set out in this Plan, to contribute to cultural change and achieve our objectives for reconciliation. I am confident that the ABS will make an important contribution to reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.

Brian Pink
Australian Statistician
March 2013