Having spent a large part of my working life in the Australian Bureau of Statistics , during which I conducted two population censuses, I am full of concern.
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Good statistics are important in making sense of any issue. Without them, we are left, for instance, with the unsubstantiated claims, false accusations and deliberate confusion of parliamentary debate.
The population census is fundamentally important. It provides the facts on which many survey estimates are based.
It is the raw material for planning in business, health, education, construction, entertainment and academic research. It is vital for small area data such as that relating to local governments and electoral districts.
To say that the census "only provides a snapshot of Australia for one day every five years" misses the point. The census provides the only snapshot of Australia every five years.
I must also add that the government can render great service to the Australian people by jealously protecting the independence of the ABS from political interference.