AUSTRALIAN Bureau of Statistics interviewers have started collecting information from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey.
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Reconciliation Australia co-chairman and University of Canberra chancellor Tom Calma is urging Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders to participate.
“Sharing your story with the ABS helps tell the bigger story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander progress and to make sure that our issues are accurately reflected in government policy, programs and services,’’ Dr Calma said.
Fiona Shalley, of the ABS, said the NATSISS gathered detailed information on the socio-economic progress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people every six years. ‘‘The survey covers a wide range of subjects including culture and cultural identity, social networks, housing, as well as health-related topics such as long-term health conditions, disability and self-assessed health,” Ms Shalley said.
A total of 11,500 randomly selected people will be chosen to participate, 3000 of whom will be from Australia’s remotest areas.
Interviewers will be collecting information until May.
Ms Shalley said any information collected was confidential.
“Personal information is never shared with anybody,’’she said.
‘‘Not with other government departments or agencies, organisations or research bodies, or any other person.’’
Dr Calma said: “The NATSISS it’s about you, it’s about me. So when an ABS Interviewer knocks on your door, be ready to share your story.”