NEW RESEARCH: Identifying and filling racism data gaps in Victoria: A stocktake review

Following a comprehensive stocktake review of racism data nationally and in Victoria, CRIS researchers have identified eight gaps to racism data collection and analysis.

The team recommends a national data management plan for racism, mandatory data collection and reporting on racism and inequalities by key agencies, and an urgent analysis of COVID-19 disparities. Other recommendations focus on enhancing data availability and integration, further analysis of existing data and collection of additional data.

The team found that there is a need for better coordination, direction and resourcing of the racism research effort. This could be addressed by a national data management plan that would feed into national, state and local strategies of eradicating racism. Mandatory data collection and reporting on racism and inequalities by key agencies in areas like health, education, employment and criminal justice would allow to monitor and address these issues on an ongoing basis. There is an especially urgent need for more analysis and reporting on disparities relating to COVID-19, including infections, hospitalisations and deaths, as well as on the relationship between racial/ethnic backgrounds and COVID-related challenges to housing, income and employment.

The national data management plan could be part of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework, which has called for a national data framework.