Look, I’m not suggesting a Royal Commission here, but I absolutely think that we need to ask some tough questions and get solid answers to ensure that all government departments and agencies learn from this, and we somehow begin the process of restoring faith in “online” activities like this.
I’m sorry, but the 2016 Census has to be declared null and void. Millions of people have completed it, Millions more will try to over the coming days and weeks, but many more, possibly millions just won’t bother. We risk getting the results and finding that they just don’t stack up, and the last thing we need are governments of all levels using irregular data to plan important services.
Regardless, $10 million was spent just on the system, goodness knows the total cost which is yet to be revealed. Almost half a million dollars of which was spent on “Load Testing” to confirm it would all handle as it should.
It didn’t.
The Prime Minister needs to appoint an independent consultant with complete access to the ABS to find out what happened.
Why? Because Australians simply won’t trust an “online census” again, let alone it sets back any future “online” government services 5-10 years. Don’t even think of proposing electronic voting right now!
There are some simple questions that need to be asked. Let me help the Prime Minister with these suggestions – and I’d welcome your contributions in the comments below.
That’s just a start.
We need some answers.
Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts two popular podcasts, EFTM and Two Blokes Talking Tech. He also appears on over 50 radio stations across Australia weekly, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show each day and appears regularly on A Current Affair.
Father of three, he is often found down in his Man Cave.
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