Agricultural Census forms already rolling in, Jul 2001

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MEDIA RELEASE

July 02, 2001
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
90/2001


Agricultural Census forms already rolling in


The first completed Agricultural Census forms have already been received by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as Australia's rural communities throw their support behind the five-yearly stocktake of the nation's rural sector.

"Several thousand forms have been returned to ABS already, and are being processed," said Agricultural Census Project Manager Jim Williamson.

"The remaining forms are due at ABS by the middle of July."

The results of the Agricultural Census provide the basis for informed decision making in government, business and the rural community throughout Australia.

All of Australia's 160,000 farmers should have received their census forms by now. They will find the census easy to complete, as they will not need to provide financial information and will not need financial advice to fill it in.

Farmers also have access to a freecall telephone inquiry number if they need help with their forms or information about the census. The number is 1800 647 011 (Separate numbers for media inquiries only are shown below).

"The Agricultural Census is vital to ABS's aim to provide the statistics on rural industry that decision-makers need," Mr Williamson said. "The data are used for a wide range of purposes including promoting exports, planning and developing rural infrastructure, and assessing the impact of changes to agricultural policies on various regions."


Agricultural Census media centre:
www.aapmedianet.com.au/agcensus.html
(The site provides background with photographs and sound files)

Key contact numbers (Media Only) for the Agricultural Census are:
Steve Dangaard, Director, Media and Public Affairs Unit, Australian Bureau of Statistics
Tel: 02 6252 7197 MOB: 0418 481 757
Jim Williamson, Project Manager, Agriculture, Mining and Manufacturing Section, Australian Bureau of Statistics
(Spokesperson for the census)
Tel: 02 6252 5830 MOB/AH: 0429 460 087

Farmers have access to a free call telephone number: 1800 647 011