Australia's census cost around $450 million this year, was it worth it?

This census was designed so that money could be spent more effectively. View it as an investment. It is meant for both businesses & the government so they can best determine where, when & how money should be spent both on a needs basis & for investment purposes. This figure is just a fraction of what has been spent on a series of failed government programs, wastage & inappropriate spending. Let's face it, this government needs all the help it can get regarding where & how to direct spending. They need to know not just how many more people there are, but what type of people they are & how their services needs have changed in the last five years. The UK just had theirs & their own website is quite informative on the matter. http://2011.census.gov.uk/My-census/Why-do-we-need-a-census

it cost that much, my cenus form ended on the kitchen table. i think at that point the money could have been better spent. but then at the same time if it's going help improve things.