AUS 1IALIA,,-
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEP1J2NT NO. 162
17 December 1973
NEW DATA SYSTEM
The Prime Minister, Mr. Whitlam, announced today the
appointment of a Committee to inquire into the development of
a new integrated statistical information system to operate
among departments concerned with the fields of social, welfare
and economic programs.
The committee will report on the general principles
and administrative arrangements that would be necessary for the
operation of such a system.
It will report by 30 -March next year.
Mr. Whitlam said to implement the Government's program
a greater knowledge of statistics involved in these key areas
was necessary. Greater co-ordination among departments was also
needed. The new more uniform and up-dated system would also
be of great assistance to private business and injustry.
A more efficient and better organised data gathering system
was necessary to achieve these aims. Because the committee
had been asked to advise on the principles and administrative
arrangements of a new system, its members were chosen for
their knowledge of the Government's policies, experience in
public administration and their technical expertise, Mr. Whitlam
said. The members of the committee are:
Professor L. F. Crisp
Chairman
Mr. B. Brogan,
Consultant to the Department of the Prime Minister
and Cabinet
Mr. K. L. Brown,
President of the Printing and Allied Trades Employers
Federation
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Mr. R. Jolly,
Australian Council of Trade Unions a
Professor C. F. Wallace,
Department of Information Science, Monash University
A summary statement of the general considerations which
have led the Government to review its information needs in related
areas of social and economic policy has been prepared for the
information and guidance of the committee. A copy is attached.
The Prime Minister said that, although it was not intended
that the committee should conduct a public inquiry, it would receive
written submissions until 15 February 1974. The submissions should
be forwarded to the committee's chairman, Professor L. F. Crisp,
through the Secretary of the Prime Minister's Department. Since
the committee's report will be concerned with the general principles
and administrative arLangements that would enable close integration
of the Government's data systems, submissions ' hould be limited to
these matters, Mr. Whitlam said.
CANBERRA, A. C. T.