4914.0.55.001 - Newsletter: Age Matters, Nov 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/11/2005   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

NEW DATA RELEASES

1351.0.55.006 Research Paper: Small Area Estimation of Disability in Australia
In Australia, as in many countries, there has been a rapidly growing demand from policy makers for social and economic small area data to satisfy expanding decision-making requirements. In response, the ABS has produced a series of manuals on the theory, application and processes for producing small area statistics in the Australian context. The main purpose of this paper is to discuss a range of methodological approaches undertaken in the application of existing small area methods to the topic of disability. A set of diagnostic measures are used to assess the relative quality of the small area estimates produced by a selection of models. The results presented in this paper are still preliminary and for this reason includes a discussion on the priorities for future work to improve on these models.

1351.0.55.007 Research Paper: Beyond GDP: Measures of Economic, Social and Environmental Progress
This paper was presented at the December 2004 ANZSEE/CofFEE conference (A Future that Works - Economics, Employment and the Environment) held in Newcastle, Australia. The paper describes how the demand for measures of national progress culminated in the development of a new ABS major publication in 2002 Measuring Australia's Progress (MAP). MAP is built around 15 headline indicators that span Australia's economy, society and environment, and is designed to allow readers to make their own assessment about whether life in Australia is getting better. A second issue,now called Measures of Australia's Progress was released in 2004 and updated summary indicators were released to the ABS web site in April 2005.

1351.0.55.008 Research Paper: Collaborating with Civil Society: Reflections from Australia
This paper was presented at the 2004 OECD World Forum on Key Indicators in Palermo, Italy. The paper discusses the role civil society has played in developing three significant, but rather different, indicator initiatives in Australia: Measures of Australia's Progress; the Victorian State Government's Growing Victoria Together; and the Tasmanian State Government's Tasmania Together. The paper reflects on the style of collaboration that works best between governments and civil societies. The paper also discusses indicators of progress in the areas of social cohesion and governance, democracy and citizenship: areas, which are intimately related to the health of our civil society.

1351.0.55.009 Research Paper: Comparison of Methods for Measuring the Age of Withdrawal from the Labour Force
Over one-third of the Australian population is currently aged 45-84 years and this proportion is expected to rise over time. This has created concern about the age at which people are withdrawing from the labour force and starting their retirement. Despite the importance of this issue, there is a lack of consensus in the literature about which method should be used to measure the age of withdrawal from the labour force. This paper explores the use of three summary methods for calculating the age of withdrawal from the labour force. Two of these methods estimate the 'expected' age of withdrawal, while the third method estimates the 'average' age of withdrawal. Each method has it's own advantages and disadvantages which need to be considered in the context of the specific research question and available data sources.


1382.0 Informing a Nation: the Evolution of the Australian Bureau of Statistics
Informing a Nation: the Evolution of the Australian Bureau of Statistics is a history of the Australian Bureau of Statistics and its predecessor the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics. It covers the period from 1905 to the present day. The publication is organised thematically and includes chapters on subject areas such as economic statistics, the census, social statistics, prices statistics, methodology and technology in the Bureau, international relations, the Bureau's clients and dissemination, and the culture of the Bureau. As well as the written history, the publication presents a pictorial history of the work of the Bureau and its staff over the last century.

3101.0 Australian Demographic Statistics
Quarterly estimates of total population for states, territories and Australia. Includes the most recent estimates of the population in five-year age groups; numbers (and some rates) of births, deaths, infant deaths, interstate and overseas movements. Quarterly and/or annual time series tables throughout. Also includes population projections and estimated resident households for states, territories and Australia.

4149.3 Queensland's Baby Boomers: A Profile of Persons Born 1946-1965
Presents a range of information on Queensland's Baby Boomers, persons born 1946-1965. Topics covered include demographics, cultural diversity, family, housing, education and work, health and community life.

5609.0 Housing Finance, Australia
Contains time series data for secured and unsecured housing finance commitments for owner occupation, commitments for the construction or puchase of dwellings for rent or resale, and loan outstandings to individuals/households for housing. This publication also contains information on the value of monthly commitments for unsecured housing finance for owner occupation and the construction or purchase of dwellings for rent or resale, as well as a table on home loan outstandings classified by lender.

Data are provided at state and national levels, with more detailed estimates available through AusStats time series spreadsheets. Small area estimates are not available.

6105.0 Australian Labour Market Statistics
This publication draws together data from a range of sources, mostly ABS household and business surveys, to provide an overall picture of the labour market.

It contains tables for core data items, presenting the most recent data available at a particular date (rather than relating to a particular reference period).

The publication is also used to release annual data on Indigenous labour force status, and annual supplementary measures of labour underutilisation. It includes a range of feature articles, both analytical and technical, which will assist users in understanding and interpreting the data and announcements of any changes to labour series or releases.