But the ABS must provide “statistical information”. So it must adjust the sample for the whole. Otherwise it is not “statistical information” under the Act. And maybe that is why the statistician (an independent statutory officer) has decided to collect the age, gender and geographic information and make the adjustment.

It would be a terrible result for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. He would have blown $120 million to get this issue off the table only to have an inconclusive “no” actual vote and a “yes” adjusted vote – a problem that would not arise with an electoral commission vote because there would be no gathering of demographic data and adjustment for it.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/samesex-marriage-postal-plebiscite-a-debacle-likely-to-happen-for-malcolm-turnbull-20170817-gxyo52.html

Yeah, I read that earlier today. Interesting.

Just have to hope enough young people work out how to do b-mail.

dv said:

Just have to hope enough young people work out how to do b-mail.

b-mail?

party_pants said:

dv said:

Just have to hope enough young people work out how to do b-mail.

b-mail?

Baryonic mail

(Alex coined it)

dv said:

party_pants said:

dv said:

Just have to hope enough young people work out how to do b-mail.

b-mail?

Baryonic mail

(Alex coined it)

groan

dv said:

party_pants said:

dv said:

Just have to hope enough young people work out how to do b-mail.

b-mail?

Baryonic mail

(Alex coined it)

Surely that’s a good enough reason to never use it again.

Don’t young people ever send birthday cards by ordinary mail?

Bubblecar said:

Don’t young people ever send birthday cards by ordinary mail?

Not to mention parcels etc.

Bubblecar said:

Don’t young people ever send birthday cards by ordinary mail?

I remember them. I think my grandmother used to send them.

Bubblecar said:

Don’t young people ever send birthday cards by ordinary mail?

(Pretty sure that’s what facebook is for.)

I just asked my daug (about to turn 20) that, and she said no, she’s never sent a card.

I asked if she has ever sent anything by mail, and she has: she returned an item to an ebay seller.

“.. the ABS must provide “statistical information”. So it must adjust the sample for the whole. Otherwise it is not “statistical information” under the Act. And maybe that is why the statistician (an independent statutory officer) has decided to collect the age, gender and geographic information and make the adjustment.”

So even if people don’t vote return their survey paper, the ABS must attempt to guess their position and adjust the count accordingly, otherwise it is a vote and not statistical information.

I hope this news is enough to convince the boycotters to participate.

Seems to me that if you want SSM, and that is very likely to occur after a yes vote, a very odd position to take, to lobby to strengthen the possibility of a no vote.

AwesomeO said:

Seems to me that if you want SSM, and that is very likely to occur after a yes vote, a very odd position to take, to lobby to strengthen the possibility of a no vote.

quite

I didn’t want this ballot either, mostly for cost reasons, but it’s happening so let’s just get this done.

dv said:

I didn’t want this ballot either, mostly for cost reasons, but it’s happening so let’s just get this done.

Yes. Me too.

dv said:

I didn’t want this ballot either, mostly for cost reasons, but it’s happening so let’s just get this done.

That would be the pragmatic way to deal with the situation as dealt.

Bubblecar said:

Don’t young people ever send birthday cards by ordinary mail?

Once. I have receive just one card from Australia from a son (‘s girlfriend) for my b’day.

One card. Ten years.

Todd Snider – Statistician’s Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUK6zjtUj00