The Australian Bureau of Statistics can’t seem to get its story straight when it comes to the census in Mount Isa.
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Last week we reported that the ABS had agreed to a request from Father Mick Lowcock of the Catholic Church and Member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter to “revisit” the suburb of Pioneer after anecdotal evidence found that the indigenous population was undercounted.
However over the weekend the ABS contacted the North West Star to deny they would be doing a recount.
An ABS spokesman said members of the Census team visited Mount Isa this week as part of a “routine engagement with communities” to talk about Census statistics for the region and hear feedback.
“After discussions with members of the community where the importance and accuracy of Census data was recognised, the Census team agreed to organise another visit to talk through particular areas of feedback related to the suburb of Pioneer,” the spokesman said.
“The Census data is accurate and complete and this was reaffirmed to community members during the visit to Mount Isa”.
The statement made no reference to Mr Katter or Father Mick and showed no sign it took their concern seriously.
The statement also seems to contradict what the ABS told Mr Katter’s office after their meetring last week.
“We heard that you broadly agree with the overall picture that the Census data paints of Mount Isa but you are concerned that the numbers are understated in some suburbs that have a higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” their email to Mr Katter read.
“We undertook to look into the suburb of Pioneer and to send up some field staff to work with you to undertake an on the ground reconciliation.”
The ABS has been contacted for further comment.