How often people contact government
The next question set, 12 to 17, sought to determine how many times individuals contacted the government, for each type of contact. Table 3 indicates that in the vast majority of cases, respondents contacted the government five times or less. However, respondents who received money were likely to contact government more than twenty times. It should be noted, though, that it is likely that these 'contacts' were actually payments.
Table 3: How often people contacted government over the last twelve months
|
Contact with government |
Once |
2-5 times |
6-10 times |
11-15 times |
16-20 times |
> 20 times |
Don't know |
Total |
|
Sought information |
24.7% |
48.3% |
12.6% |
4.1% |
1.6% |
6.4% |
1.8% |
100 |
|
Provided information |
29.3% |
48.9% |
10.9% |
3.6% |
1.1% |
2.9% |
2.9% |
100 |
|
Made/attended appointment |
33.3% |
46.3% |
8.6% |
3.5% |
1.3% |
4.5% |
1.8% |
100 |
|
Received money |
16.7% |
11.6% |
4.6% |
3.8% |
2.3% |
59.5% |
0.9% |
100 |
|
Paid money (not income tax) |
16.2% |
45.1% |
15.7% |
6.4% |
2.4% |
11.8% |
2.2% |
100 |
|
Filled in form |
30.9% |
43.1% |
12.1% |
3.8% |
1.6% |
6% |
2.3% |
100 |
Table presented showing percentage (%) rounded to one decimal point
There were no significant trends for this question in regards to gender although overall females appear to contact government less frequently than men.
Respondents with few school qualifications were less likely to contact government two to five times, and more likely to contact government more than 20 times, except in relation to paying money to government. There were no other significant differences in relation to education.
Respondents who live in towns were significantly more likely to contact government in relation to receiving money more than 20 times, and conversely, less likely to make contact once. Respondents living in the country filled in forms significantly more frequently overall, than town or city-dwellers.
Super annuitants were significantly more likely to report contacting government once to seek or provide information. Those receiving the community wage were significantly more likely to provide information 16 to 20 times.
Respondents living with partners or children were more likely to contact government in relation to receiving money once. Those living alone, on superannuation or other benefits (75% of the latter) or with an income of $10,000-$19,999 were all significantly more likely to contact government in relation to receiving money more than 20 times. It seems likely that there was an overlap between these groups. Similar results were found in relation to filling in forms.
Self-employed people were significantly more likely to contact government in relation to making payments 11 to 15 times in the previous 12 months.
Lower North Islanders were significantly more likely to make contact for the purpose of seeking information 16 to 20 times (173), and less likely to make contact five times or less.
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