Question - Justice and Community Safety Directorate

In relation to the ACT Criminal Justice Statistical Profile and information provided during  the annual reports hearing on 14 November 2023, can the Attorney-General advise (a) on what date was a decision made to discontinue production of this statistical publication, (b) what specific information and feedback was provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics regarding the Profile that informed this decision, (c) why was the judgement made to discontinue the publication pending improvements to methods, as distinct from continuing with the existing methodology for continuity purposes until improvements could be implemented, (d) to what extent, and in what precise way, did the COVID-19 pandemic impact this decision and (e) what plans does the Justice and Community Safety Directorate have to reinstate the Profile, if any, and when can the next publication of the profile be expected to occur.

Please also refer to the answer to Question on Notice 6. 

Publication of the Statistical Profiles was put on hold in October 2020, given the need to respond to the review by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This decision was taken based on previously identified concerns about the form and content of the Statistical Profiles including evidence that the materials were accessed by a very small number of unique users.  

In April 2020, the ABS provided its Review Report. It found that the Statistical Profile did not meet the main data needs of potential users. For example, a report intended for use by: 

• statistical audiences would typically contain more detailed data, methodologies and analysis; 
• the general public or other government/policy departments would typically contain less detailed tables and graphs, some commentary describing the data and possibly some other options such as infographics.

The ABS made recommendations in relation to governance, structure, content and the use of Open Data platforms to enhance access to and use of data. The development of an open data platform is a considerable commitment, in both resourcing and time.  Noting the ABS findings about the shortcomings of the form and content of the Profile, it is not proposed that it be simply reinstated in its previous form. 

By way of context, the Profile was a historical series of crime data compiled from data from police, courts, corrections, juvenile justice and other justice related agencies, and that this data is largely publicly available from other sources. ACT criminal justice data is provided to, and released via sources other than JACS, including the ABS and the Productivity Commission, such as: 

• Recorded Crime - Offenders - Statistics about offenders proceeded against by police including age, sex, Indigenous status and most serious offence.
• Recorded Crime – Victims - National statistics about victims of a range of personal, household and family and domestic violence offences as recorded by police.
• Crime Victimisation - National and state and territory crime rates for assault, threat, robbery, break-in, theft or stealing, property damage and police reporting rates.
• Personal Safety - Rates of physical and sexual assault, family and domestic violence, economic and emotional abuse, stalking, sexual harassment, and childhood abuse.
• Disability and Violence – Presents statistics about assault, domestic violence, partner emotional abuse/coercion, sexual harassment, and stalking for persons with disability.
• Report on Government Services - Justice Data Tables 2023 – presents statistics about police services, courts and corrective services 

In relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was a unique and challenging time for the community which required focused attention from the Government and ACT Public Service in responding to the community’s and industry’s immediate needs, peoples’ wellbeing and their safety. Given this need, resources generally were prioritised for projects which provided practical immediate outcomes for the community and business. Nevertheless, there was consideration of the ABS’ findings during the relevant period. 

At this time, JACS is considering further how best to address the intent of the ABS recommendations for the Statistical Profile, including having regard to the type and scope of justice and related data that is currently available and the need to align with the ACT Data Governance and Management Policy Framework and JACS Data Strategy.