ROBINVALE community leaders are waiting with bated breath to see whether the outcome of this year’s Australian Bureau of Statistics Census (ABS) reflects the true population of the town.
A 2019 report commissioned by Swan Hill Rural City Council to study Robinvale’s population found there was between 7205 and 7725 people living in the town – more than double the official Census figure of 3531.
With the next Census due in August, the ABS declined to comment on the issue.
The data collected in the Census is used to determine the allocation of billions of dollars of government funding to states, territories and local governments.
It also feeds into decisions about health care, education, social security, housing, transport and infrastructure.
Sunraysia Daily asked community leaders across Robinvale to weigh in on the impact incorrect Census data has on the town, what they think can be done differently, and what they hope to see in the 2021 count.
Jack Dang, co-ordinator, Robinvale Network House
What are your hopes for this year’s Census count?
My hopes for the Census this time, as with every other time, is to give a true reflection of the population in our township.
What number do you expect to see?
I would expect to see everyone doing the right thing and declaring the real number of dwellings on their premises, but I won’t hold my breath.
What do you believe to be the contributing factors to the incorrect data?
I dare say that fear is the driving factor of the incorrect data. Whether it’s fear that immigration come knocking on the door of undocumented itinerant workers, fear from council prosecuting over-crowded rooming houses, or simply fear of exposure.
What could be done differently to get more accurate data?
I believe trial and error would prevail – don’t keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome.
Were you surprised by the independent study that revealed Robinvale’s true population could be as high as 8000?
No, I was not surprised. It is in plain sight, it’s just unfortunate that the powers that be don’t live anywhere near us to see it.
In your opinion, is August the right time to undertake a census count in Robinvale?
No, August is definitely not the right time.
How does having an incorrect head count adversely affect Robinvale?
As a community service officer, it affects us tremendously. We will always get half of the full slice. Half housing funding, half health funding, half social wealth welfare funding.
Bruce Myers, chair, Robinvale District Health Service
What are your hopes for this year’s Census count?
Hopefully higher levels of engagement, leading to more completions of Census documents, through flexible means.
What number do you expect to see?
Numbers closer to the independent study conducted on behalf of the council. Getting the official Census closer to the estimated 8000 number would be ideal, but I expect to see some increase on previous Census totals.
What do you believe to be the main contributing factors to the incorrect data?
Lack of options to complete the survey, complex online portal, too much reliance on standard methods, and not enough one-on-one support for multicultural communities who might not live in houses on streets with a front door. There is also a lack of trust among parts of the population.
What could be done differently to get more accurate data?
The Census planning should be linked to the social determinants of health: socioeconomic position, early life, social exclusion, work, unemployment, social support, addiction, food and transportation, housing and the living environment, health services and disability. It should not be a functional bureaucratic process, but a strategy to ensure every person living in Australia is noticed – why base funding and resource allocation for populations if the population number is incorrect?
Were you surprised by the independent study that revealed Robinvale’s true population could be as high as 8000?
Not at all – you only have to drive around other towns and compare your observations to know Robinvale and district has more than 3500 people.
In your opinion, is August the right time to undertake a census count in Robinvale?
In the past, definitely not, due to seasonal work. However the types of horticultural and agricultural work taking place is leading to more stability in the formerly transient workforce. The population is more even across the year than it was 10 years ago.
How does having an incorrect head count adversely affect Robinvale?
All services that receive government funding rely on the Census data. If the Census data for Robinvale and district is under-represented by a factor of two or three or more, then by default the services aren’t getting enough resources – health services, emergency services, services to families and children, not-for-profits, local government, education, business support. This also reduces the private sector investing in the area through retail, business development and making the place more liveable.
Anne Webster, Member for Mallee
What are your hopes for this year’s Census count?
I hope that those who are in the community that are undocumented will take part. An accurate count means that services can be delivered at a more appropriate level for the communities needs.
What number do you expect to see?
My hope for Robinvale is that there might be clarity around the real population number so that service provisions from all levels of government can be provided based on those facts. I do not hold much hope at present, due to the hidden population of undocumented workers which are unaccounted for. The studies that document water use and other services such as supermarket sales, indicate that ABS will once again sadly not represent an accurate picture.
What do you believe to be the contributing factors to the incorrect data?
We know that there is a significant population of undocumented workers living in Robinvale and surrounds. These people generally have a distrust of authorities and are unlikely to fill out the census form.
What could be done differently to get more accurate data?
My work to call for a status resolution, for those who are undocumented to come out of the shadows and be given work rights, would go a long way to fixing the incorrect data.
It would provide legitimisation, and break the cycle of exploitation.
Were you surprised by the independent study that revealed Robinvale’s true population could be as high as 8000?
I think the study shows what many have long suspected, that there is a significantly larger population in the region than official numbers show.
While the results were significant and shocking to some, the reality is, the community already knows of this population. It was good to have these numbers exposed.
In your opinion, is August the right time to undertake a Census count in Robinvale?
I think, in the case of the undocumented in Robinvale, the timing of the actual Census will make little difference to the results.
How does having an incorrect head count adversely affect Robinvale?
An incorrect population assessment affects the level of funding provided to service providers in the community, for example the hospital, police, ambulance, schools are resourced based on official numbers. By not counting the undocumented workers and their families, resourcing is below what is required for the community. Again, a status resolution would bring these members of our community into the light, allow Robinvale to be properly resourced, and secure a workforce for our agricultural industry into the future.
Jade Benham, Robinvale Ward councillor, Swan Hill Rural City Council
What are your hopes for this year’s Census count?
That we get a more accurate result to represent Robinvale. We’ve done our population study but if we want Government and bureaucracy to take any notice they have to be stats that come from the ABS. This census is incredibly important.
What number do you expect to see?
A number a lot higher than 3000. I’d hope and expect to see a number closer to 8000 but wouldn’t be surprised if it is higher than that, even in August.
What do you believe to be the contributing factors to the incorrect data?
Fear and complacency. I think perhaps in the past people haven’t really taken it seriously, but I hope this year that is different.
Also, giving your details to the government isn’t something that everyone is entirely comfortable with, and if someone has question marks around status or any other issue with data collection they may not be forthcoming with involvement.
What could be done differently to get more accurate data?
A multitude of things. The old book and paper seems a bit dated to me, but I guess it’s a lot less susceptible to corruption than digital collection.
I think using some of the methods we employed in our population study would be more accurate.
EFTPOS transactions at the local supermarket, water consumption and there is data available from our national telcos but it is expensive to get, however, that kind of data you can’t hide from, so it should be a consideration into the future perhaps.
Were you surprised by the independent study that revealed Robinvale’s true population could be as high as 8000?
I was surprised that they were so conservative, but other than that no. It made me breathe a sigh of relief to be honest. We’re not being daft, we’re serious when we say our district population is sometimes four times what the Census tells us, and it’s reflected in the goods and services not available here.
In your opinion, is August the right time to undertake a census count in Robinvale?
Wouldn’t we love them to take the census in February? However, I understand the rationale behind August, but still think it will give us a far too conservative figure for this area.
How does having an incorrect headcount adversely affect Robinvale?
Our services first and foremost – Robinvale shouldn’t be treated as the poor little cousin. We’re not poor and we’re certainly not little and we should be treated as the economic and cultural epicenter that we deserve to be.
