Tuesday 9 August 2011 is Census night in Australia. The Australian Census on Population & Housing provides Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds an important opportunity to ensure that relevant ethnicity data is recorded. The Census and ethnicity data specifically play an important role in ensuring that government, community and private sector organisations have an understanding of the linguistic, cultural and ethnic composition of the total Australian population so that they can plan, fund and deliver appropriate services to Australian residents from all backgrounds.
The Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), Pino Migliorino, said, “We need good ethnicity data from the Census in order to provide an important evidence base for our government advocacy on the issues that affect migrant Australians. It is vital that all residents, especially those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, participate in the Census and encourage others in their families and communities to do so.”
FECCA is keen for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to achieve the highest level of Census participation. Mr Migliorino said, “I urge all Australians from all communities to make the time to fill out the census form and to answer all questions. The information is secure and will not be used to target specific individuals on the basis of religion or language. This data will then form the benchmark against which government service delivery will be monitored and assessed”
“I encourage all ethnic communities and their leaders to promote participation and that together as Australians we set aside August 9 to participate in the Census. Please go to the official website http://abs.gov.au/Census to get more information and spread the word in your community” said Mr Migliorino.
See also Australian Census and its significance.
