The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has chosen an Indigenous clothing supplier to produce polo shirts for use by the 2021 Census staff.
Executive Director of the Census and national spokesperson for ABS, Andrew Henderson said the company, Darkies Design which collaborates with Indigenous artists and designers from its Canberra base, was selected following a competitive tender process.
“As the Census touches the lives of every Australian, our Census suppliers should reflect the diversity of the community across Australia,” Mr Henderson said.
“The Census will take place on Tuesday 10 August 2021 and households will have the opportunity to complete the Census online or by paper form,” he said.
“Delivering a successful Census is more important now than ever before, as Census data has been crucial during the coronavirus pandemic to help model the economic and social impacts of COVID-19.”
Mr Henderson said Census data were also used to plan and deliver infrastructure and services across the country.
“Things that individuals, businesses, families and communities use every day like public transport, libraries and community services,” he said.
Founder of Darkies Design, Dion Devow said the ABS collected valuable information to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the country and he was honoured to be part of the work.
“It’s great to see the ABS supporting First Nations businesses,” Mr Devow said.
Mr Devow was the ACT’s 2018 Australian of the Year.
