George Zdanowicz, president, and Sarah Campbell, executive director, of AMSRO wrote: “Never has there been a more critical time to base decisions on a sound evidence base. To truly understand how Australians are feeling, to understand what they are doing and to understand their needs in this time of crisis.”

“As an industry employing significant numbers of knowledge workers as well as many casual staff, we ask all levels of government to consider the continued procurement of market and social research services as a priority,” they said.

AMSRO represents almost 100 of the leading research and insights companies in Australia, with members employing over 5,000 permanent and 3,000 casual employees.

In the letter, they pointed out that their member companies conduct market and social research for the majority of federal and state government departments, local governments and most of the ASX top 200 companies.

The Australian research and insights industry generates over $1bn of economic activity annually, with all levels of government representing a significant portion of this.

They added: “Market and social research, data and insights have an essential role to play during these unprecedented times. The future of social policy regarding our nation’s health and wellbeing, education, employment, social security and multiple other areas depend on trusted, quality community insights. Australians need to be heard and our members rely on the continuation of Government support in commissioning this