'Entire streets' in regional towns miss out on census information in the post

Some residents of South Australia's largest federal electorate say they are yet to receive census information by post, prompting confusion and concern about the possibility of fines.Federal Liberal MP for Grey Tom Venning told ABC News his office had fielded at least 80 calls from constituents in the lead-up to census night, expressing concern they had not received anything ahead of the poll or that they needed assistance to fill out the census online.Households should have received an envelope containing a census number and a temporary password in the lead-up to last Tuesday.But the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) confirmed that some areas on the Yorke Peninsula were yet to receive census letters, but made assurances that those impacted would not be fined.Mr Venning said the delay had caused "unjust anxiety".He said "entire streets" missed out, including a 3-kilometre stretch near Port Pirie, between the townships of Nelshaby and Napperby."Many tried to get a hard copy but gave up on the process, it was too difficult and included extensive wait times," he said. Tom Venning says his office has fielded more than 80 calls from constituents reporting issues with the census. (ABC News: Olivia Mason)Among the towns in reported black spots were Maitland and Arthurton, on the Yorke Peninsula, less than two hours away from Adelaide.Creina Cullen, who lives in Arthurton, did not receive a census letter."I know that a number of people went into our local post office assuming that maybe they [the forms] had gone there so I'm not the only person in my area that didn't receive one," she said.Arthurton resident Creina Cullen says she has yet to receive her census letter or form. (ABC News)Arthurton resident Arty Glazbrook said he had to enlist the help of his granddaughter to fill out his census."In other years, we've always had someone leave them at your doorstep or in the letterbox," he said."I was aware that you could do it online, but not being tech-savvy, I probably wouldn't have done it, because I wouldn't know where to go in the first place."You get some of those little places in the middle of nowhere … they don't get any paperwork, they'll probably just pass it by."Mr Glazbrook said he was aware of six other locals who did not receive census information by post.Robert Fidock of Weeroona Island, 15 kilometres from Port Pirie, also said he had not receive any census information.On August 11, he rang the census helpline before the ABS dispatched a field officer with a hard copy that afternoon.Robert Fidock says he was surprised to not get a paper census form. (ABC News)Mr Fidock said he only became aware later on that there was a digital option."I'm a 74-year-old retired pensioner and we don't do anything online at all," he said."So, it was a surprise to us that we didn't receive anything [in the post]."No fines for no-shows: ABSThe ABS previously said it expected about 85 per cent of Australians to complete the census online this year, although paper forms could still be requested.In a statement, the agency said it was "aware that some households have not yet received their census forms and letters"."We are still dropping forms off in some areas of Yorke Peninsula, if people haven't received their forms yet, they will soon," a spokesperson said.An ABS spokesperson did not clarify how many census forms or letters were not delivered."People who need help to complete their census or are still awaiting their form will not be fined," the spokesperson said."Our message is that there is still time to complete your census and we are here to help."People could request paper forms to complete the census. (Supplied: Australian Bureau of Statistics)It also said a form number or hard copy could be requested through census.abs.gov.au or via the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227.The ABS will contact those who have not completed it, but if there is no response to the reminder, the agency may serve a written legal direction.Failing to comply with the legal instruction to complete the census could result in a court prosecution and a fine of up to $364 per day.Paper still rules in regionsMr Venning said many residents still relied on paper-based communication."Some people still have old-school telephones, they don't even use smartphones," he said."... they're still hearing about it on the radio, they're hearing risks about getting fined. It's unjust anxiety that they're experiencing."