MOUNT GAMBIER LEFT OUT OF $726 MILLION CENSUS

MOUNT GAMBIER LEFT OUT OF $726 MILLION CENSUS

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP has called on the Albanese Labor Government to explain why Mount Gambier has been left without a Census Pop-up Hub ahead of Census night on Tuesday, 11 August.

Mr Pasin said it was extraordinary that South Australia’s largest population centre outside Adelaide did not have a dedicated Census Pop-up Hub.

“Mount Gambier is the major service centre for the Limestone Coast, yet residents who need face-to-face help completing the Census have not been provided with a hub in their own community,” Mr Pasin said.

“A hub has been established in Millicent, but there is no hub in Mount Gambier, Naracoorte, Bordertown or Keith.

“For a Bordertown resident, travelling to Mount Gambier would mean a return journey of approximately 367 kilometres.

“This is a vast regional area. People should not be expected to travel long distances to access basic assistance with a compulsory national Census.”

Mr Pasin said his electorate office staff had been assisting a stream of constituents who:

·       have not received their Census letter or 16-digit Census number;

·       do not have access to a computer or mobile device, particularly older residents;

·       want to complete a paper form but cannot use the automated ordering service without their Census number; or

·       need face-to-face assistance but have no Census Pop-up Hub servicing their community.

“The Census is supposed to count every Australian, but the process relies heavily on people receiving a letter and being able to get online,” Mr Pasin said.

“If that letter does not arrive, people are then expected to independently navigate the ABS website or contact a call centre to obtain the information they should already have received.

“Even the automated service for requesting a paper form requires the 16-digit Census number contained in the missing letter. Constituents contacting my office have found the process confusing and stressful.”

Mr Pasin said the Minister responsible for the Census, Andrew Leigh, needed to explain how the ABS had determined the location of its Census Pop-up Hubs and why Mount Gambier had been overlooked.

“The 2026 Census is costing Australian taxpayers $726 million. At that price, Australians are entitled to expect a process that is accessible and properly supported, regardless of where they live,” Mr Pasin said.

“Regional Australians should not be disadvantaged because the ABS has designed a system that assumes everyone receives their letter, has access to technology and can independently navigate the process.

“If the Government is serious about counting every Australian, it must ensure people can access the support they need within their own communities.”