東南網澳大利亞站綜合報道 本站記者 石月
2016澳大利亞人口普查(Census of Population and Housing, 簡稱Census)將以8月9日夜為時間點對在澳人員及其信息進行統計。所有身處澳洲境內的人均必須通過網上填表或郵寄表單的方式參與，否則將面臨最高$1,800澳元的罰款。
履行義務 全民參與
五年一次的Census是由澳大利亞數據統計局(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 簡稱ABS) 依照《1905年人口普查與統計法》（Census and Statistics Act 1905）進行的，是所有在澳居民需履行的法律義務。
1905人口統計法
除外國使節和他們的家人外，每個身處澳洲境內的人，包括留學生，臨時工作簽證持有者和外國游客等，均需要于8月9日人口普查夜（Census Night）當晚所在地配合完成本次統計，當晚身處澳洲境外的人，則無需參加。
“Census是每個在澳居民必須履行的義務，得到了絕大部分澳大利亞人的支持和配合。一般來講，對拒絕參與者采取罰款手段讓其配合的情況很少。但根據1905年人口普查與統計法，會對拒絕參加或者提供不實信息者予以相應處罰。” 高瑞律師事務所的律師鄒佳虹說。
據悉，ABS首先會對在一定日期內未完成人口普查的居民予以通知，明確Census是公民的法律義務。此后，若該居民繼續拒絕參與，他們將面臨每日最高$180的罰款，罰款上限為$1800。在一些案例中，對拒絕填寫和上交表單居民的處罰也包含刑事處罰，而故意填寫錯誤或帶有誤導性的信息也同樣是犯罪。
2016年的新變化
2016年的Census,參與者只能通過網上填寫或郵寄表格兩種方式參與，不再有工作人員上門收發表格。
2011年前，工作人員會上門收發表格 資料圖
據ABS預測，約70%的人將會選擇在網上完成。自8月1日起，每戶家庭都將陸續收到來自ABS的信件，信中附有每家專屬的Census登陸碼，網上填表指南，以及紙質表格申請指南。參與者可使用登陸碼登錄網站census.abs.gov.au，在線填寫表格完成普查。而對于不方便使用網絡，或者仍希望使用紙質表格的參與者，則需向工作人員提供其專屬登錄碼申請紙質表格。填寫完畢后必須盡快寄回，避免延誤。
兩種方式完成Census?資料圖
調查表上關于宗教信仰和性別問題也有了改動。新添加了“無宗教信仰”的選項，而在性別問題中，首次加入了除男性和女性外的第三個選項。
來自悉尼大學的人類學專家Luis Angosto-Ferrandez博士對此表示，“每一個人都能夠站出來并且被計算在人口普查內是非常重要的。”
對隱私安全的擔憂
盡管人口普查需要全民配合參與，但也有一部分居民對其提交的個人隱私數據的安全問題表示擔憂。部分居民認為他們的姓名和地址不應該出現在調查問題中。有澳洲記者曾在報道中表示，使個人隱私數據最安全的方法就是不收集信息，或者在收集后刪除數據。
資料圖
對此ABS表示，他們將把信息安全作為最優先的考慮。在完成數據的收集整理后，各家庭的姓名和地址信息將會被分開儲存，且存儲時間不超過四年。
“雖然有個人信息安全的擔憂，但是我決定相信政府能夠保護好這些數據的安全。我希望政府能夠妥善使用這些信息，并且及時銷毀。”來自悉尼Eastwood區的一位居民在接受采訪時說。
據悉，絕大多數澳大利亞人對于人口普查都給予了巨大支持，表現出了很強的參與意愿。澳大利亞人口普查始于1911年，其所得數據為描繪澳大利亞歷史和規劃未來發展起到了非常重要的作用。這些數據被用于預估澳大利亞人口的增長，從而使政府能夠更好的分配資源，規劃社區服務，特別是關于住房、交通、教育、工業、醫療、環境等方面。同時，個人或各類組織也均可依據Census數據來制定決策，或預防一些問題的產生。
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2016’s Census calls for everyone
Australian largest collection of statistical information Census（Census of Population and Housing） will occur on August 9. Undertaken by Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census is calling for everyone in Australia to take part in.
Legal obligation of everyone in Australia
Under the authority of the Census and Statistics Act 1905, the Census is compulsory for everyone in Australia, except foreign ambassadors and their families.
“Census is compulsory, it has been supported by most Australian, the need to enforce penalties for non-completion is rare. However, based on the Census and Statistics Act 1905, people who fail to complete Census would face to penalties.” Grace Zou, lawyer from GEA Lawyers said.
According to Census and Statistics Act 1905, ABS would firstly notify non-completion over their obligation to complete Census. If they continuously refuse to complete, they may face a fine of up to $180 per day until the form is finished and returned, but the penalty would be no more than $1800. Providing false or misleading statements or information is also an offence.
What's New in 2016’s Census
There won’t be any house hold doorknockers to deliver and collect the form during 2016’s Census, where people are able to complete form online or by post instead. ABS predict that 70% of the participants would complete Census online.
Most of the Census’s questions are remained, however two questions have changed this year. In the question” What is your religion”, “no religion “became optional. Besides, the 2016’s Census firstly recognizes those who don’t identify as male or female.
Dr. Luis Angosto-Ferrandez, an Anthropology expert form University of Sydney, believes that it is significant for everyone to stand up and be counted.
Safety Concerns of privacy information
Collecting essential residential information will of course arouse privacy and safety concerns. A number of Australians believe that it is unnecessary to show their name and address on the Census form. ABC journalist Chris Berg wrote in his article that the safest way to protect data is to not collect it at all, the second safest way is to destroy that data after collection.
In respond to the concerns, ABS announced they will have legal obligations to keep Census data secure and ensure that it does not disclose identifiable information about persons, household or business, and personal name identified information would be destroyed after 4 years or shorter since it has been collected.
“I also have privacy and safety concerns about the Census data, however it is undertaken by the governments, I have the faith to trust ABS could keep them safe. I hope ABS could use the data properly and destroy the data on time”, said a residence in Eastwood.
Since the first Census 1911, most Australians have given their overwhelming support and willing to the Census. It provides a snapshot of Australia, helping shape the nation’s education, health, transport and infrastructure.
