Census collectors

[Bagheera]

The whole point of it is so the government can track where you are, what u do, for other reasons like tax fraud, immigration, spying on your every move....

Which only works if you fail to read the underlying act which strictly prohibits the release of personally identifying data to other government units such as the ATO, immigration, Centrelink, etc.

Agreed with almost everyone here and elsewhere, how are some of / most of the questions related to funding???

Apart from infrastructure.... Please...... Enlighten me!

Look at http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@....Features132011 for several examples of how the data is used. Not all of it pertains to funding, but is used for other studies such as education level vs income level (which led to the introduction of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme to allow lower income families to send their children to university), average age of home-leavers (are kids staying at home longer?), requirements for aged care now we have an aging population (all those questions on needing assistance for body/movement functions), etc.

As for the reglion question, I have seen previous census data in that area used as justification in Council applications for new religious dwellings. I am also aware of campaigns being run by some groups to ensure that their religion is well (over?) represented in the Census to provide further justification for building approvals, selective school funding, etc.