SYDNEY: The Armenian National Committee of Australia’s (ANC-AU) Political Affairs Director, Michael Kolokossian has encouraged all Armenian-Australians to record ‘Armenian’ for the ‘Ancestry' question in the Australian Census.
Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics counts every person and household in Australia and this year's Census of Population and Housing will be taking place on 10th August 2021.
The Census is the most comprehensive snapshot of the country and tells the diverse story of the nation's economic, social and cultural make-up, informing government, community and business.
To ensure that the ABS accurately records the number of Australians with Armenian heritage, the Armenian-Australian community has been encouraged to record ‘Armenian’ in question 22 of the Census, which is to determine the respondent’s 'Ancestry'.
All households have received instructions on how to take part, given a list of options to select in the ancestry question. However, Armenian will not be listed there. Instead of selecting from the options provided, Kolokossian told SBS (Special Broadcasting Corporation) Armenian Radio Broadcaster, Vahe Kateb that Armenian-Australians are asked to tick 'other' and write 'Armenian'.
TO LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW, CLICK HERE.
The Census data assists in advocating for vital programs and services — impacting housing, education, transportation, employment, health care and public policy relating specifically to the Armenian-Australian community across Australia.
ANC-AU Executive Administrator, Sarine Soghomonian had the opportunity to interview the Director of Census Inclusive Strategies, George Chapman.
WATCH THEIR INTERVIEW BELOW OR BY CLICKING HERE.
