RECURRING NIGHTMARE FOR AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS STAFF

The Turnbull Government’s handling of the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows their disregard for evidence-based policymaking.

In January, we learnt that the nation’s statistical agency was cutting staff. Almost a month on from that date, there’s worse to come.

Almost 100 hardworking public servants in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart are set to lose their jobs.

It’s like a recurring nightmare.

You don’t become a clever country by firing statisticians. Cuts to the Australian Bureau of Statistics means that firms, researchers and governments don’t have a good picture of Australia’s progress as a nation.

The chaotic Coalition needs to spend less time fighting amongst themselves and more time fighting for evidence-based policies that will benefit all Australians.