The Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Outcomes and output groups
- Changes to outcomes and outputs
- Outcome 1 - Description
- Outcome 1 - Resourcing
- Outcome 1 - Contribution of outputs
- Performance information for Outcome 1
- Evaluations
Section 2: Outcomes and outputs information
Outcomes and output groups
The map below shows the relationship between government outcomes and the contributing outputs for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Financial detail for Outcome 1 by output appears in Table 2.1 while non-financial information for Outcome 1 appears in Table 2.2.
Map 2: Outcomes and output groups
Changes to outcomes and outputs
There are no proposed changes to the outcome or outputs since the previous year.
Outcome 1 - Description
Informed decision making, research and discussion within governments and the community based on the provision of a high quality, objective and responsive national statistical service.
Measures affecting Outcome 1
There are no measures for the ABS in the 2002-03 Budget.
Outcome 1 - Resourcing
Table 2.1 shows how the 2002-03 appropriations translate to total resourcing for Outcome 1, including revenue from government (appropriation), revenue from other sources, and the total price of outputs.
Table 2.1: Total resources for Outcome 1 ($'000)
(1) C1 and E1 show the links back to Table 1.1.
Outcome 1 - Contribution of outputs
Official statistics are collected by government to inform debate, decision-making and research both within government and by the wider community. They provide an objective perspective of the changes taking place in national life and allow comparisons between periods of time and geographical areas.
Open access to official statistics provides the citizen with more than a picture of society. It offers a window on the work and performance of government itself, showing the scale of government activity in every area of public policy and allowing the impact of public policies and actions to be assessed.
The ABS achieves its outcome by the provision of two outputs: (i) economic statistics and (ii) population and social statistics.
The economic statistics output contains an extensive range of statistical outputs relating to the structure and performance of the Australian economy. It provides an objective source of information that is used by governments and the community to inform their decisions. For example, economic statistics are used to formulate government macroeconomic policies, to assist in allocating Commonwealth funds to State Governments, to formulate industry development policies, in financial and business planning and in wage determination.
The population and social statistics output contains statistical information relating to the Australian population, including census and demographic statistics, as well as information relating to the social and economic wellbeing of the population. It provides an objective source of information that is used by governments and the community to inform their decisions. For example, census data are used extensively to plan for communities; labour statistics are used in the formulation of macroeconomic policy and in developing government labour market policies and programmes; and social statistics are used to support policy development in areas such as health, social security, taxation, and community and family services.
Reliable social and economic statistics are fundamental to open government and it is the responsibility of government to provide them and to maintain public confidence in them.
Performance information for Outcome 1
Table 2.2: Performance information for Outcome 1
Table 2.2: Performance information for Outcome 1 (continued)
Evaluations
Output performance indicators (shown in Table 2.2) will be used to measure evaluation activity for this outcome. The results of the evaluation will be shown in the ABS Annual Report.
