Robert Shrimpton

Australian Bureau of Statistics

The ABS has an international reputation as one of the best statistical offices in the world and from our earliest decades we have been respected for delivering objective statistics that hold a mirror to Australian community and governments. Originally known as the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics, the ABS came into being over 100 years ago, on the eighth of December 1905, in recognition that statistics were going to be important to building our nation. The ABS produces and disseminates statistics in a number of key areas, including: Social Statistics; Economic Statistics; Population Statistics; Labour Statistics; Industry Statistics; and Environment Statistics. The ABS statistical programs are supported by service areas which deliver assistance and advice on statistical methods, data and metadata management, information technology, client management, dissemination, human resources and other corporate services. The ABS also has an important coordination function with respect to the statistical activities of other official bodies, both in Australia and overseas.