1304.5 - Stats Talk WA, Dec 2007  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 14/12/2007   
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Statistical News
Developments in ABS Statistics

Australian Exporters
On 13 November, the ABS released ‘Number and Characteristics of Australian Exporters, 2006-07’ (cat. no. 5368.0.55.006). This product uses data sourced from the Australian Customs Service and the ATO in addition to the ABS.

Previously, the ABS released articles on the number and characteristics of International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia (cat no. 5368.0). An article detailing a new methodology for deriving the counts of Australian exporters was issued on 7 April 2006. For further information, contact Jennifer Humphrys on (02) 6252 5409.

Business Characteristics Statistics
Summary data from the annual Business Characteristics Survey (BCS) relating to the incidence of IT use and innovation in business were released in Summary of IT Use and Innovation in Australian Business, 2005-06 (cat. no. 8166.0) on 19 November. Data are available at Industry and Employment Size levels and include Internet use; Broadband connectivity; Web presence; Internet commerce; and measures of Innovation by type and status.

More detailed estimates have been published for Business Use of Information Technology (cat. no. 8129.0) on 7 December 2007 and, early in 2008, Selected Characteristics of Australian Business (cat. no. 8167.0) will be released. Following on from these releases, more detailed information in spreadsheet format will be made available via the ABS website. For further information contact Peter Hodgson on (08) 9360 5367.

Children and Youth
The Children and Youth Statistical Portal (CYSP) is the initial pilot project for the National Data Network (NDN), providing an online service that improves access to information on children and youth. It was released on 8 October 2007, and includes discovery metadata and a web link to each information resource.

Agencies that have contributed to the Portal include the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Medicare, the Australian Drug Foundation, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Institute of Criminology, the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.

The CYSP is accessible from <http://portals.nationaldatanetwork.org/childrenandyouth>, and a discussion forum is available where users of children and youth statistics can discuss relevant issues.

Agencies interested in more information about the Portal are encouraged to contact Lorraine Cornehls on (02) 6252 6079.

Service Industry Surveys
The ABS is planning to conduct surveys on Nursing homes, Aged care, Child care, Residential care, and Non-residential care for the 2008-09 financial year. The Goods and Services National Statistics Centre will commence consultation with relevant stakeholders which will continue until the middle of 2008.

The aim of this consultation is to develop a common understanding between the ABS and key clients regarding the purpose of each survey and the survey requirements relative to its purpose (eg. content, accuracy, scope, implementation, output).

For the purpose of identifying relevant stakeholders for consultations in the broad development phase, the national centre will soon commence contacting those organisations that made relevant submissions to the 2005 Service Industry Survey Forward Work Program review.

For further information, contact Melanie Taylor on (02) 6252 7495 or <service.industries.program@abs.gov.au>.