Statistics Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1922, No. 88, are Regulations under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, enacted to expand the scope of data collection for the purposes of national statistics. These regulations were introduced by the Governor-General in Council, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and they address the need to include additional categories in the census data to reflect the evolving social and economic landscape of Australia during the early 20th century. Specifically, the regulations amend the Statistics Regulations 1913 to include the collection of data on aircraft and sickness, thereby enhancing the comprehensiveness of statistical records. This legislative instrument reflects a policy objective to improve the quality and relevance of national statistics for better-informed governance and policy-making.

Scope and Application

The Legislative instrument, Statutory Rules 1922 No. 88, constitutes a regulation under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, which itself is a federal statute within Australia. This specific regulation, which amends the Statistics Regulations 1913, extends its application to all entities and individuals within the Commonwealth of Australia who are subject to the requirements of the Census and Statistics Act. The amendment, which adds the collection of data on aircraft and sickness to the regulatory framework, demonstrates the evolving nature of statistical data collection to accommodate changing societal needs and technological advancements. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, as they apply to all areas within Australia's jurisdiction, including its territories. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this specific amendment, indicating that the broadened scope of data collection applies universally within the bounds of the Act. The regulation is designed to enhance the comprehensiveness of the statistical data collected by the Commonwealth, which in turn aids in policy-making and economic planning. Further refinement or application of these regulations may be carried out through subordinate instruments as needed, ensuring the legislative framework remains adaptable to future requirements.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these Regulations (Regulation 18) involve the addition of two new categories to be included in the collection of statistical data under the Census and Statistics Act 1905. Specifically, section 15 pertains to the collection of data related to aircraft, while section 16 pertains to the collection of data on sickness. These additions aim to broaden the scope of the statistics collected to include emerging areas of interest and concern in the early 20th century. The obligations imposed by these Regulations on the relevant parties primarily revolve around the collection and reporting of data under the newly added categories. Under Regulation 18, it becomes mandatory for data collectors and relevant authorities to gather and submit statistical information on aircraft and sickness as part of the broader census and statistics framework. This requirement ensures that the Australian government can effectively monitor and respond to trends and issues related to these new categories. Failure to comply with the obligations set forth in these Regulations could potentially lead to legal consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed within the Regulations themselves, breaches of the Census and Statistics Act 1905 generally could result in penalties as prescribed by the Act. These penalties can include fines and other enforcement actions, reflecting the importance of accurate and comprehensive statistical data for national planning and policy-making. The precise penalties would be in line with the severity of the breach and the provisions of the primary Act.