❓ A Member of Parliament questions the cost and timeliness of data used in a South West Economic Perspective document. The Minister defends the use of the data, citing availability and the Commission's obligation to provide information.
AnsweredQoN 3046Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What was the cost of producing the ‘South West Economic Perspective’ document dated May 2003?
(2) Why does the Economic Activity graph on page 4 of the document use data that was up to three years old at the time of publication?
(3) Why is the Business Locations table on page 5 based on 5 year old data?
(4) Why are the 9 graphs on pages 9, 10, 11 and 12 using data that is three years out of date?
(5) Why is the ‘Manufacturing Locations’ graph on page 14 five years out of date?
(6) Considering the large amount of statistical data used in this May 2003 document is 3 to 5 years old, what justification is there for using taxpayers’ money in this way?
(2) Why does the Economic Activity graph on page 4 of the document use data that was up to three years old at the time of publication?
(3) Why is the Business Locations table on page 5 based on 5 year old data?
(4) Why are the 9 graphs on pages 9, 10, 11 and 12 using data that is three years out of date?
(5) Why is the ‘Manufacturing Locations’ graph on page 14 five years out of date?
(6) Considering the large amount of statistical data used in this May 2003 document is 3 to 5 years old, what justification is there for using taxpayers’ money in this way?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 September 2004
Responded by
Minister for Peel and the South West
Response time
28 days
1.
The Department of Local Government and Regional Development produced the ?South West Economic Perspective? document dated May 2003. No individual cost for the South West Development Commission publication is available as the project involved publications for all 9 regional areas.
2.
The Economic Activity graph on page 4 of the document used the latest data available at the time of publication. For example, agriculture data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics normally has a three-year lag. The majority of information is based on information from the 2001/02 financial year. This represents a gap of 9 months from the close of the financial year to the release of the report.
3.
The Business Locations table on page 5 was based on the latest data available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics at the time of publication.
4.
The 9 graphs on pages 9, 10, 11 and 12 were based on the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics agricultural data available at the time of publication. Agriculture data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics normally has a three-year lag.
5.
The Manufacturing Locations graph on page 14 was the latest data available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics at the time of publication.
6.
SWDC has an obligation to provide the latest information to its clients for their use, particularly when considering expansion of operations or investing in the region.
The Department of Local Government and Regional Development produced the ?South West Economic Perspective? document dated May 2003. No individual cost for the South West Development Commission publication is available as the project involved publications for all 9 regional areas.
2.
The Economic Activity graph on page 4 of the document used the latest data available at the time of publication. For example, agriculture data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics normally has a three-year lag. The majority of information is based on information from the 2001/02 financial year. This represents a gap of 9 months from the close of the financial year to the release of the report.
3.
The Business Locations table on page 5 was based on the latest data available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics at the time of publication.
4.
The 9 graphs on pages 9, 10, 11 and 12 were based on the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics agricultural data available at the time of publication. Agriculture data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics normally has a three-year lag.
5.
The Manufacturing Locations graph on page 14 was the latest data available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics at the time of publication.
6.
SWDC has an obligation to provide the latest information to its clients for their use, particularly when considering expansion of operations or investing in the region.
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