Census Ordinance 1971 (CI)

Overview

The Census Ordinance 1971, enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia under the authority of the Christmas Island Act 1958-1966, serves to amend the Census Ordinance 1961-1966. This legislative instrument was introduced to update the census taking procedures and the information collected during the census, ensuring that the data gathered is relevant and comprehensive for the year 1971. The policy objective is to facilitate accurate and detailed demographic data collection for effective planning and governance. The ordinance specifies that the census should be conducted in the year 1971 and revises the householder's schedule to include detailed information about the dwelling and individuals, such as the class of dwelling, age, marital status, and employment details, among others. This amendment reflects an effort to enhance the quality and utility of census data for decision-making purposes.

Scope and Application

The Census Ordinance 1971 applies to the Territory of Christmas Island, and it serves to amend the Census Ordinance 1961-1966, with the amended ordinance now being referred to as the Census Ordinance 1961-1971. This ordinance primarily concerns the conduct and collection of census data within the specified territory for the year 1971. The ordinance governs the manner in which the census is to be conducted, including the specific details to be collected about dwellings and individuals. It applies to all persons residing within the territory of Christmas Island at the time of the census, as well as to all dwellings within the territory. The ordinance does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but it does set out the specific details that must be collected from householders and individuals, such as demographic and socio-economic information. The scope of the ordinance is limited to the territory of Christmas Island and does not extend beyond it unless otherwise specified by subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Census Ordinance 1971 primarily revises the timing and details of the census process on Christmas Island. Section 2 repeals the previous timing for the census and mandates that the Census must now occur in 1971. This is a direct alteration from the Principal Ordinance, which did not specify a particular year for the census. Section 3, meanwhile, amends the householder's schedule, detailing the specific information to be collected regarding both the dwelling and the occupants. This includes details such as the class of dwelling, the number of rooms and bedrooms, and personal information about each person residing in the dwelling. Notably, Section 3(2) specifies that a single-room dwelling or apartment should be considered not to have a bedroom for the purposes of this ordinance. The obligations imposed by the Census Ordinance 1971 on those it governs are quite detailed. Householders are required to provide precise information about their dwelling, including the class, date of construction, and number of rooms and bedrooms. Additionally, they must supply comprehensive personal details for each occupant, such as name, relation to the head of the household, sex, age, marital status, birthplace, length of residency on the island if not born there, citizenship, racial descent, religion, principal activity, educational status, and qualifications or employment if over fifteen years old. The precise nature of these requirements ensures that the census data is both thorough and accurate, facilitating better planning and resource allocation. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Census Ordinance 1971 may result in legal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, it is understood that non-compliance with census directives can lead to civil or criminal penalties. The exact nature and severity of these penalties would typically be outlined in related legislation or administrative guidelines. However, given the comprehensive nature of the data required, it is reasonable to assume that significant penalties could be imposed for incomplete or inaccurate submissions. This serves as a strong incentive for individuals and households to provide accurate and complete information as mandated by the ordinance.