{"id":15307,"date":"2025-02-28T10:24:52","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T23:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rationalemagazine.com\/?p=15307"},"modified":"2025-02-28T10:30:18","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T23:30:18","slug":"census-decision-undermines-credibility-of-abs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rationalemagazine.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/28\/census-decision-undermines-credibility-of-abs\/","title":{"rendered":"Census decision undermines credibility of ABS"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Editor\u2019s note: If you would like to submit a letter for possible publication, please email it to editor@rationalist.com.au. See our\u00a0Publishing Guidelines.\nDear Editor,\nI have followed the saga of the Australian Bureau of Statistics\u2019 reviewing of Census questions. I am appalled that the religion question will, for the next Census in 2026, remain the same as it was previously \u2013 \u2018What is the person\u2019s religion?\u2019\nI had inferred from ABS reports during the public consultation period that the ABS pretty much expected the proposed question, \u2018Do you have a religion?', would go ahead, given that the ABS had highlighted the bias in the existing question. The final decision is, therefore, a complete about-face.\nThe number of people, including myself, who have no religion is increasing hugely and we appear to have been treated like political footballs.\u00a0\nThe excuse in the information on the ABS website reads like an exercise in impenetrable contortion. Clearly, there has been political pressure and a subjugation to a few voices from religious institutions.\u00a0\u00a0\nThis decision demeans the credibility of the ABS as an impartial data collector.\u00a0\nYvonne Patterson\nPalestinian supporters denigrated for political purposes\nDear Editor,\nAntisemitic acts of vandalism in recent months across Australia \u2013 and especially in Sydney \u2013 have, rightfully, caused consternation in Jewish communities.\nHowever, there has been increasing politicisation of these events, with assertions that Prime Minister Anthony Alba...<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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