1300.1.55.001 - Statistics News NSW, Mar 2008  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 07/03/2008   
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Image: Indigenous Engagement

INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY

The first major statistical collection to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was the 1971 Census of Population and Housing, yet many Indigenous people could not take part due to barriers such as remoteness, literacy levels, language and cultural factors.

Since this time there have been significant improvements in the quality of statistics available on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander population. These improvements would not have been possible without a number of key initiatives, one of which is the ABS Indigenous Community Engagement Strategy.

The ABS Indigenous Community Engagement Strategy was established to enhance ABS engagement with Indigenous communities in both data collection and dissemination. The strategy is managed by Indigenous Engagement Managers in each ABS State and Territory office who facilitate a range of survey and Census activities, which in turn lead to better quality data.

One recent publication on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is Housing and Infrastructure in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, 2006 (cat. no. 4710.0). This survey provides information on housing and infrastructure for discrete Aboriginal communities and Indigenous housing organisations throughout Australia. The information in the survey can be used to identify and assess community and housing needs in discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and contribute to the process of planning for future development.

If you would like further information on Indigenous statistical collections or the Indigenous Community Engagement Strategy, please contact Charmaine Smith, Indigenous Engagement Manager for NSW and ACT on (02) 9268 4206 or email client.services@abs.gov.au.