Ministerial Statement: Where will you be on Tuesday night?

[ozbob]

Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
07/08/2011

Where will you be on Tuesday night?

Treasurer Andrew Fraser has urged all Queenslanders to stand up and be counted on Tuesday night as the nation completes the five-yearly Census.

Mr Fraser reminded Queenslanders that no matter where they are on Census night, they need to make sure they're counted.

"Higher populations mean higher GST allocations, so the more people who complete the Census, the more Federal funding Queensland can receive," Mr Fraser said.

Mr Fraser said by now, most of Queensland's two million households will have received a Census form in preparation for Tuesday's count.

"The Census is about taking stock of everyone in your household on Census night - toddlers, older children, mums and dads, in-laws and visitors," he said.

"If you're travelling for business or you're a grey nomad on the trip of a lifetime, you can still get a Census form from your accommodation's reception area.

"There will even be Census collectors to help new mums in birthing centres, because some parents forget to include babies who arrive right on Census time."

People who live in highrise or gated communities should approach their body corporate or building management if they haven't yet received a form.

"The form should take just half an hour or so to complete, and asks a range of questions about how we live and work, our heritage and the services we need," Mr Fraser said.

Mr Fraser said a serious undercount of Indigenous Queenslanders at the last Census was particularly concerning.

"In 2006, around 18,000 Indigenous Queenslanders weren't counted in the Census, which meant they were in effect 'invisible' to service providers and the people who make decisions about funding," he said.

"If we are going to get our fair share, and if our kids are going to get the services they need in the future, we have to tell our story as accurately as possible, and that means making sure everyone is counted.

"Don't be concerned about privacy - your information cannot be provided to other government agencies such as Centrelink or the Tax Office.

"Mark it on the calendar now - on Tuesday 9 August, sit down with whomever is at your place and go through the Census together, or complete eCensus online at www.census.gov.au"

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