Report

2016 Census: issues of trust

24 November 2016

© Commonwealth of Australia 2016
ISBN 978-1-76010-491-7

View the report as a single document - (PDF 792KB)


View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Senate Economics References Committee (PDF 22KB)
Recommendations (PDF 30KB)
Chapter 1 - Introduction (PDF 22KB)

Background to the inquiry
Structure of report
Conduct of the inquiry

Chapter 2 - A short history of the census in Australia (PDF 59KB)

Importance of the census

Chapter 3 - Preparations of the 2016 seasons (PDF 89KB)

Early planning for the 2016 census
Budget problems and suspended preparations
Scope of questions
The move to an eCensus
Limited tender to IBM
Conducting the census
Communication of move to eCensus
Telephone assistance
Emphasis on 9 August

Chapter 4 - Say my name, [save] my name… (PDF 136KB)

Retention of names and addresses
Arguments against the retention of name and address information

Chapter 5 - Information security (PDF 166KB)

How the data will be stored and handled
Security concerns about data retention
Anonymity and Statistical Linkage Keys
Risk of re-identification from linked datasets
Mandatory reporting of unauthorised disclosures

Chapter 6 - The conduct of the 2016 census (PDF 165KB)

Census Inquiry Service
Development, delivery and collection of census forms and materials

Chapter 7 - Census 2016: the morning after (PDF 88KB)

Fines for non-compliance
Adequacy of funding and resources for the ABS

Additional Comments by Nick Xenophon and Stirling Griff - This Census Deserves Censure (PDF 20KB)

It’s all in the Name
Changes, Damned Changes and Statistics
Confidence and Trust

Additional Comments by the Australian Greens (PDF 11KB)

Introduction

Appendix 1 - Submissions and additional information received (PDF 19KB)

Submissions
Answers to questions on notice

Appendix 2 - Public hearings and witnesses (PDF 9KB)

Committee Secretariat contact:

Senate Standing Committees on Economics
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3540
economics.sen@aph.gov.au