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Bureau of Statistics says economic reports could be axed without extra funding Bureau of Statistics says economic reports could be axed without extra funding
(about 2 hours later)
The Bureau of Statistics is considering cutting key economic statistics to absorb recent funding cuts.The Bureau of Statistics is considering cutting key economic statistics to absorb recent funding cuts.
David Kalisch, the head of the ABS, revealed the news on Thursday, warning retail data, housing and lending finance data, and international trade data, could soon be published less frequently. He also admitted a slew of data could cease being collected altogether.David Kalisch, the head of the ABS, revealed the news on Thursday, warning retail data, housing and lending finance data, and international trade data, could soon be published less frequently. He also admitted a slew of data could cease being collected altogether.
He said data collection of foreign ownership of agricultural businesses, industrial disputes, motor vehicle sales, livestock slaughter, and crime offenders and victims, could stop if extra funding cannot be secured.He said data collection of foreign ownership of agricultural businesses, industrial disputes, motor vehicle sales, livestock slaughter, and crime offenders and victims, could stop if extra funding cannot be secured.
The childhood education and care survey, and the internet activity survey, could also stop.The childhood education and care survey, and the internet activity survey, could also stop.
The revelation can be found in the ABS’s Forward Work Program 2016-17.The revelation can be found in the ABS’s Forward Work Program 2016-17.
Kalisch said the ABS would be forced to cut its staffing levels “significantly” over the next three years, by about 400 staff in 2016–17, 300 staff in 2017–18 and 40 staff in 2018–19, to absorb recent funding cuts.Kalisch said the ABS would be forced to cut its staffing levels “significantly” over the next three years, by about 400 staff in 2016–17, 300 staff in 2017–18 and 40 staff in 2018–19, to absorb recent funding cuts.
He said the Turnbull government had agreed, in its 2015–16 budget, to give the ABS an extra $257m in funding for critical infrastructure improvements until 2019–20, but after that the ABS’s budget would be cut by another 10% (worth about $25m per year). He said the government had agreed, in its 2015–16 budget, to give the ABS an extra $257m in funding for critical infrastructure improvements until 2019–20, but after that the ABS’s budget would be cut by another 10% (worth about $25m per year).
Its average annual budget is currently $259m per year, excluding the census.Its average annual budget is currently $259m per year, excluding the census.
Kalisch said the ABS’s workload was due to expand next year, despite recent funding cuts, and that would make some data collection unaffordable within his existing budget.Kalisch said the ABS’s workload was due to expand next year, despite recent funding cuts, and that would make some data collection unaffordable within his existing budget.
The ABS would have to “free up” some resources to pay for the extra work, he said, by cutting some data collection.The ABS would have to “free up” some resources to pay for the extra work, he said, by cutting some data collection.
“Over the last 15 years the ABS has had falling resources to deal with a bigger and more complex world to measure,” he said. “In contrast, staff numbers in the wider Australian Public Service have increased during this time.”“Over the last 15 years the ABS has had falling resources to deal with a bigger and more complex world to measure,” he said. “In contrast, staff numbers in the wider Australian Public Service have increased during this time.”
Andrew Leigh, the shadow assistant treasurer, has attacked the Turnbull government following the news, saying critical economic statistics were facing the axe.Andrew Leigh, the shadow assistant treasurer, has attacked the Turnbull government following the news, saying critical economic statistics were facing the axe.
“The retail data is often a leading indicator of whether there’s an economic downturn coming along,” Leigh said.“The retail data is often a leading indicator of whether there’s an economic downturn coming along,” Leigh said.
“And we know that the housing finance statistics are critical, too. Those housing finance numbers tell us the debt load that Australians are facing and also give us an indicator as to how the housing markets themselves are tracking.“And we know that the housing finance statistics are critical, too. Those housing finance numbers tell us the debt load that Australians are facing and also give us an indicator as to how the housing markets themselves are tracking.
“[The ABS] deserves better than a Turnbull government that is cutting away its ability to collect the data that Australians rely on.”“[The ABS] deserves better than a Turnbull government that is cutting away its ability to collect the data that Australians rely on.”
Following Leigh’s criticism, the ABS released a statement on Thursday afternoon. It said the ABS had not made any decision about which statistical series would be cut from 2017-18.Following Leigh’s criticism, the ABS released a statement on Thursday afternoon. It said the ABS had not made any decision about which statistical series would be cut from 2017-18.
“No decisions on the ABS’ work program for 2017-18 and beyond have yet been taken,” an ABS spokesman said. “Future consultation will consider our broad legislative obligations and options regarding the value, usefulness and frequency of some indicators.”“No decisions on the ABS’ work program for 2017-18 and beyond have yet been taken,” an ABS spokesman said. “Future consultation will consider our broad legislative obligations and options regarding the value, usefulness and frequency of some indicators.”
The ABS was forced to apologise two months ago after websites crashed during peak time on census night. It was forced to take down the online census form website for 40 hours after distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.The ABS was forced to apologise two months ago after websites crashed during peak time on census night. It was forced to take down the online census form website for 40 hours after distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
Last month, in a submission to a senate inquiry into the census debacle, the ABS blamed service provider IBM for the disruption, saying it had not properly prepared for the risk of a DDoS attack.Last month, in a submission to a senate inquiry into the census debacle, the ABS blamed service provider IBM for the disruption, saying it had not properly prepared for the risk of a DDoS attack.