Statistics Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Census and Statistics Regulations 1946, enacted under the authority of the Governor-General in Council, amend the existing Statistics Regulations to better capture data on building operations for statistical purposes. This legislative instrument responds to the need for more accurate and comprehensive data on building activities to inform post-war reconstruction and economic planning. The policy objective is to ensure that the information collected is strictly confidential and used solely for statistical analysis. All persons engaged in building operations are required to complete and return the specified form within the stipulated timeframe, providing detailed information on new buildings, alterations, repairs, and the number of persons employed. The regulation emphasises the confidentiality of the data and the importance of accurate reporting to facilitate effective policy-making and economic recovery efforts.

Scope and Application

The regulation under the Census and Statistics Act 1905-1938 mandates that all individuals and entities engaged in building operations must complete and submit a specific return form detailing their building activities within a defined three-month period. This requirement applies to any person undertaking the erection of new buildings, including houses, flats, shops, hotels, factories, and other types of new buildings, as well as any alterations, additions, and repairs. The regulation explicitly requires the submission of information about the number and value of buildings constructed, the types of buildings, and the number of workers employed on these projects. The collected data is intended solely for statistical purposes and is treated with strict confidentiality. The regulation specifies that all persons to whom the form is addressed must provide the requested information within a stipulated timeframe and return it to the Government Statistician in the capital city of their state. The regulation encompasses all building activities across Australia, including those of sub-contractors, unless they explicitly indicate that they do not undertake new building construction. The regulation does not apply to those solely engaged in sub-contracting work without any intention of undertaking new building construction in the future. The regulation is an amendment to existing Statistics Regulations, replacing a previous form with the new Form XLVII.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Regulations under the Census and Statistics Act 1905-1938 (the "Act") primarily involve the amendment of Form XLVII, which pertains to the Return of Building Operations. According to Section 1, this form is now required to be filled out by all persons involved in the erection of new buildings, alterations, additions, and repairs or maintenance of buildings. The form must detail the number and value of jobs undertaken, specifying various types of buildings such as houses, flats, shops, hotels, factories, and other new buildings. Furthermore, the form also requires information on the number of persons engaged on these jobs, broken down by trade and employment type (Section A to D). The obligations imposed by these Regulations are straightforward yet comprehensive. Every individual or entity involved in building operations, including those who undertake the erection of new buildings, must complete and submit Form XLVII within seven days to the Government Statistician in the capital city of their state (Section 1). This includes builders, renovators, and sub-contractors. Sub-contractors and those engaged in sub-contracts only are also required to complete the form, though they may return it blank if they do not intend to undertake the erection of new buildings in the future. The information collected is strictly for statistical purposes, and the confidentiality of individual returns is assured (Section 1). The Regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance. However, the requirement to complete and return the form within the specified timeframe suggests a strong expectation of compliance. Failure to comply with the statutory obligations could potentially lead to scrutiny or investigation by the relevant authorities, as the information provided is crucial for national statistics. While the Regulations do not detail specific penalties, non-compliance with the Census and Statistics Act 1905-1938 could generally result in legal action, which may include fines or other enforcement measures as prescribed by the Act.