Chris Pearce is reminding everyone that on Census Night, Tuesday 8 August, every Australian has the chance to make history.
As Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer Mr Pearce has responsibility for the Australian Bureau of Statistics. In supporting the Census he said, “Everyone has the opportunity to elect to have their census information, along with their name and address, kept securely on microfilm by the National Archives of Australia for a closed period of 99 years.
“The security of the Census Time Capsule ensures that participant's information will not be made available to anyone until the year 2105,” Mr Pearce said. “When the data is released, it will be a rich resource for family historians and researchers in the 22 nd Century!
“They will be able to see who lived in Australia in 2006, where we came from and how we live our lives,” Mr Pearce said. “I will certainly opt-in on Tuesday and invite all Australians to join in too.”
Mr Pearce also pointed out that the wishes of those who do not want to participate in the Census Time Capsule will be respected. “Personally-identified Census information will only be kept for those people who explicitly consent to having it retained for 99 years.
“We are only two days away from the Census and I urge everyone to talk about the Census Time Capsule and to think seriously about the benefits of being part of it.
“The Census Time Capsule is covered in the last question on the Census form, people should make sure that their views are accurately reflected in their answer. Just mark “Yes, agrees” to become part of history,” Mr Pearce said.
The 2006 Census of Population and Housing will be held on Tuesday 8 August.
Visit www.abs.gov.au/census for more information.
MELBOURNE
6 August 2006
Media contact: Gillian Harvey 03 9887 3890 or 0411 567 060