DEVELOPMENT OF INDICATORS
The process of transforming the MAP framework from a conceptual to statistical framework has involved collaboration between the ABS and external experts. Although MAP has had previous versions of indicators, the ABS sought to start from the ground up and consider a broad range of possibilities for indicators to best express this idea for progress in the refreshed MAP framework. Progress indicators were considered for all themes and elements of the framework, with experts from outside the ABS consulted in specific areas of expertise where appropriate. The ERG has also provided guidance for MAP.
Populating the domains
The amount of development that has been required to populate domains has differed, largely reflecting the maturity of particular areas of statistical measurement in the Australian statistical system. The Social and Economy domains are the most populated domains in the proposed indicator list, because of the well-established statistical programs for social and economic statistics in Australia. ABS experts in economic and social statistics guided most of the development for these domains. Some external consultation has also been required where other organisations are custodians of proposed indicators.
The Environment domain will be less populated with indicators than the Society and Economy domains. This is due to the acknowledged difficulty of measuring many of the important areas identified at this point in time. Experts in environment statistics within the ABS guided indicator development for the Environment domain. Environmental statistics are a rapidly evolving field, and in Australia, a number of agencies have the remit to develop and produce indicators of environmental sustainability and health. The ABS consulted with the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) about possible progress indicators for the environment themes and elements. The ABS also sought to take into account the recently released Sustainable Australia Report 2013.
The Governance domain is the least populated domain with measures. The limitations around the availability of data and contested nature of central concepts in the field of governance result in this domain being the least developed of all in the MAP framework. Nevertheless, the consultation found that this overarching area of life was an important part of the overall picture of Australia’s progress. The ABS established a Governance Working Group to guide the identification and selection of potential indicators and contextual information for the newly established domain of Governance. The Governance Working Group discussed possible indicators and provided advice around contextual information to be included in the product (see Appendix D for the Governance Working Group membership list). The group comprised ABS experts and external experts who had participated in the Governance Topic Advisory Panel as part of the MAP consultation process. The development of measures for Governance is being discussed in international statistical forums, and the ABS will utilise the outcomes of that work in the future development of this domain.
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