In a move that has sparked outrage and disappointment, the Australian government has announced that it will not include questions about gender, sexual orientation, and variations of sex characteristics in the 2026 Census. This decision comes as a significant blow to LGBTIQ+ communities, who were hoping to be properly counted and represented for the first time.
Federal Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh confirmed on Sunday there would be no change to questions on the 2026 Census ending the push for a change.
“It is the decision of the government that there will be no change to the topics in the next Census, which will be held in 2026,” he said in a statement.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics(ABS) that conducts the census has also confirmed the decision today and acknowledged there will be no changes and therefore an upcoming test of the new questions wouldn’t proceed.
“Given the Government’s announcement yesterday that topics will remain unchanged from 2021, I have made the decision that the upcoming Test will not proceed,” Dr David Gruen AO, Australian Statistician said.
“The Test would have included topics that the Government has now decided will not be in the 2026 Census.”
New Zealand included questions about their gender, sexual identity, and whether they have any variations of sex characteristics, with results due to be released in October 2024.
Equality Australia has condemned the government’s decision, with CEO Anna Brown stating, “The federal government has betrayed LGBTIQ+ people around Australia who will again be rendered invisible in 2026 because the census won’t ask appropriate questions about who they are and how they live.”
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) had included these topics in the proposed shortlist for the next census. However, the federal government confirmed on Sunday that it would not be changing the topics, dashing the hopes of many in the LGBTIQ+ community.
“Our communities will continue to feel invisible and demeaned because the federal government hasn’t taken this opportunity to finally reflect the diversity of Australia and gather crucial information about the kinds of services people need,” Brown added.
In the last census, LGBTIQ+ people who were single, trans and gender diverse, intersex, or living in notionally heterosexual relationships were not counted due to the lack of relevant questions. The ABS issued a statement of regret last year, acknowledging the hurt and distress this caused, following a human rights complaint brought by Equality Australia and non-binary parent April Long.
The ABS also established an LGBTIQ+ Expert Advisory Committee to advise on topics, questions, analysis, and dissemination of data for the next census. Despite these efforts, the federal government has chosen not to proceed with the new topics.
“It is staggering that after all that work, the statement of regret and the clear need for relevant data, the federal government has made the call not to proceed with new topics,” Brown said.
“Governments need reliable data to inform the delivery of vital services and make decisions about our future, and yet we still don’t know how many LGBTIQ+ people there are in Australia or where they live.”
April Long, the non-binary parent who brought the human rights complaint, expressed their devastation at the decision.
“Every person and every family deserve to be counted. The 2021 census rendered us invisible, and today’s decision ensures that invisibility extends into 2026 and beyond.”
Long highlighted the personal impact of this decision, stating, “After hearing the news, I had to look at my 3-year-old son knowing that when he starts school, I won’t be able to tell him how many kids are just like him with two mums.”
They emphasised that this issue goes beyond mere numbers or data, stating, “This is about our basic human right to be counted, recognised and valued. It’s about ensuring our census counts everyone.”
The federal government’s decision not to include questions about gender, sexual orientation, and variations of sex characteristics in the 2026 Census has been met with profound disappointment and a renewed call for recognition and visibility for LGBTIQ+ communities.
As the fight for representation continues, advocates stress the importance of accurate data in informing policy and service delivery, ensuring that every Australian is counted and valued.
Last Updated on Aug 26, 2024
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