The extraordinary large range of data and information collected by the ABS is reflected in these chapters. In addition, the year book contains descriptive matter dealing with Australia's government, international relations, defence, geography and climate. In recognition of the recent Constitutional Convention the Australian Constitution is reproduced in this year's edition of the year book. Known as the flagship publication of the ABS, the year book has a reputation as one of the best single reference works on Australia. The data and explanations are of interest and use to many sectors of the Australian community which rely on good quality information to make informed decisions.
Schools also find the year book a very useful teaching tool.
In keeping with the year book's theme of featuring photographs of outstanding Australian landscapes on the cover, the 1998 edition features a scene from the Otway National Park in Victoria. The first Official Year Book of the Commonwealth was published in 1908, although individual Australian States and colonies had been producing year books for several decades previously. Members of the media who require a review copy please contact Carolyn Verey or Steve Dangaard on the numbers below.