Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Small Business. The Australian Bureau of Statistics forward work program for 2016-17 includes a statement from the Australian Statistician that the ABS will not have the resources necessary to undertake all the activities that fall within its legislative mandate. Significantly, for those of us who live in regional Australia, this program identifies regional economic data as an area the ABS may cease or wind back.

Given the growth and development that is happening in regional Australia, including both of our electorates, we clearly need more data not less. Can the minister please give a guarantee to the people in our electorates and the rest of Australia that the ABS will receive the funding and resources it needs to give us people doing planning in rural and regional Australia the information we need? (Time expired)

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