Abs
Most people won’t even register that there is something different about this year’s census, but I will be cracking open the champagne and waving a flag. A big, bright, rainbow flag.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics gets a gong this week for being the first government department to recognise my overseas same-sex marriage to my partner, Sarah.
One small tick for the box, one giant tick for the ABS.
The 2011 Census is likely to include a flawed question on religion that will continue to dramatically over-state the extent of religious belief in Australia in spite of the trend towards atheism, agnostic and the flight from organised religion.
The 2011 Census will take place tonight. Months after that, results will be released and much will be made about the demographic changes in Australian society and what they mean.
Yet Australians are again being asked to choose a religious affiliation in a way that is problematic.
Continue reading "Don’t tick the religion box unless you really mean it" »
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K says:
Yes people should tick the box that reflects their current beliefs. No it’s not ok for anyone to twist statistics. This includes those who tick ‘no religion’. As a side point, some people may want to tick what they were brought up in as this is still important to them… Read more »
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OMG says:
Jake – where are you going to get all of these secular counsellors? They don’t exist. It is only because the church cares enough, and always has, that it has the people to put into these positions. Are you angry that the government should assist in paying for this help… Read more »
The question of whether city or country is best has been an ongoing debate for a long time. I heard it often as I worked in Brisbane for thirty years and prior to that as I lived and worked in various regional, rural and remote locations in Queensland for extended periods.
In the 1200’s Marco Polo a merchant and great traveller declared cities were best. For twenty-four years Polo journeyed to and from Venice to China along the Great Silk Road. On his travels he encountered many great cities including Constantinople, Baghdad and Beijing and he realised that cities were far more important to the economy of the Silk Road than the country areas through which it passed.
In 2010 in Australia the independent federal politicians are about to “turbo-charge” regional and rural Australia according to their spokesperson Rob Oakeshott. They have secured a new $10 billion regional investment fund in return for their votes and they seek to prove Marco Polo’s assessment wrong. For them the country is at least as important as the city.
Continue reading "Fixing the failed state that is regional Australia" »
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Nick says:
How many times have the Sydney Cross-City and Lane-Cove tunnels gone into recvieership now? ‘User-pays’ in such context just means the redistribution of wealth upwards from the pockets of suburban joes commuting to work on toll roads from Kellyville, into the pockets of, well, share holders and investors of the… Read more »
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acotrel says:
I lived in Melbourne for 57 years - I don’t want to be there now, and I regret not having moved earlier. Some things I miss include the opportunity for further tertiary education, and being stuck in the traffic isn’t one of them. Neither is being crammed into a crowded… Read more »
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released what it calls a study of “estimates of personal income for small areas.” For ease however we will call it our shameless guide to class warfare and rich people’s suburbs.
According to the study - conducted between 2003-04 and 2007-08 - the North Sydney waterside suburb of Mosman has the highest average income in the country at $131,606. If a suburb with an average income like that isn’t reference point enough, the national average is $44,402.
Second are the battlers of Woollahra in East Sydney on $116,376. One begins to feel a bit dirty heading over to Hunters Hill on a mere $95,027, and then if you would actually want to be seen there you can get into North Sydney on $83,997 and Ku-ring-gai at $82,195.
Continue reading "The Punch guide to our rich suburbs and big houses" »
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feendyUnfadia says:
Mark Bryant, who serves as Andersen’s agent and also attorney, said: “At the foregoing spare time, I respect your process in addition to the I include no further comment with regard to protect how the integrity along with everyone involved. We’ll proceed out of there.” michael kors handbags Mark Bryant,… Read more »
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PiertExtibPat says:
“Nous avons obtenir réfugiés toujours hébergés par apparaissant dans due à notre spécifique Charte des Nations Unies. Toutefois, nous avons rencontre pas de rebelles ici contre le Soudan. Toutes choses considérées , se offre Soudan. Donc, pourquoi quelqu’un? “Kulayigye dit. sac louis vuitton “Le mois dernier, nous… Read more »
This morning David Penberthy wrote about how worryingly effective health minister Nicola Roxon has been in office. He argued the preventative health agenda has taken hold of public policy, with millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money being directed towards stopping people doing some things that are generally seen as pleasurable, like eating bacon, sitting on the couch or having four middies of beer.
As part of this program the government will take a snapshot of the nation’s health by surveying 50,000 people about their lifestyle. Today it’s reported the survey will be compulsory. If you are selected and don’t answer the questions, you will be fined, $110 a day, until you agree to surrender information about your personal lifestyle choices to the government. You may also get a knock on the door at 3am from clipboard-wielding statisticians.
Here’s an excerpt from today’s story:
Continue reading "It’s the ABS: Come out with your urine sample in the air" »
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Chris says:
Is there a solicitor reading these comments here who knows of a way out of this? This is a great business opportunity for you! 50,000 families want to get out of this stupid system. They are your potential clients!!!! Please tell us what to do! Read more »
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Idont Thinkso says:
Just remember MOST of what is said is a media beat up cause we don’t want facts to get in the way of a good story. Read more »
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