Progressive Pressure Leads to Inclusion of Gender Diversity Questions in Australian Census
In a week-long debate, the Australian Labor Party found itself divided over the inclusion of questions on sexuality in the next Census. The push for these questions came from progressive electorates, who argued for the importance of recognizing gender diversity. Their efforts compelled the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to include questions on gender identity or preference. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the relevant questions were being developed and emphasized that individuals would have the option of not answering them.
Progressive leaders, organizations, and media outlets played a significant role in pressuring the government to address this issue. The original plan for the 2026 Census was to feature the same questions as the 2021 edition, but the public outcry for inclusivity forced the government’s hand.
Labor MPs Split on the Issue
The debate saw Labor MPs divided, particularly with Victorian members voicing their support for including questions about residents’ sexuality in the Census. Federal Labor Member for Macnamara, Josh Burns, broke away from his party’s stance and expressed his pride in representing the LGBTIQA+ community. He emphasized that their inclusion in the Census was crucial for effective decision-making and the delivery of services.
Acting Labor Prime Minister Richard Marles, on the other hand, stated that the government had decided against adding new questions to avoid further division in the community. He believed that divisive debates should be avoided at present.
Federal Labor Member for Wills, Peter Khalil, representing an area in Melbourne’s inner north, also called for questions regarding sexuality and gender identity to be included. He conveyed the views of the LGBTIQA+ community in his electorate to the party leadership.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers acknowledged people’s disappointment but explained that the government’s primary focus had been on other matters, such as the cost of living. He clarified that the ABS often tests and teases out questions in advance, which had prompted the current discussion. Chalmers expressed concerns about how these issues can be weaponized against members of the community, highlighting the need to avoid such harm.
Calls for Reconsideration and Concerns About ‘Woke Agenda’
Harriet Shing, the Victorian Labor Minister for Equality and an openly lesbian MP, urged federal Labor to reconsider their decision. She emphasized the importance of collaboration and review to fully understand the impact of excluding LGBTIQA+ communities from the Census.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton supported federal Labor’s stance and raised concerns about what he referred to as the “woke agenda.” According to Dutton, the existing set of questions and the long-term data collection methods have served the country well. He believed that the majority of Australians were content with the current settings.
Equality Australia criticized the federal government’s decision not to include questions about the LGBTIQA+ community. They expressed their disappointment and found the notion that counting LGBTIQ people is divisive to be deeply offensive and wrong.
The ABS’s Position and Calls for Reversal
While the ABS had initially stated that the next Census would remain unchanged, they had previously acknowledged the absence of gender diversity questions. The ABS recognized that the lack of questions on gender identity, sex characteristics variations, or sexual orientation made certain respondents feel invisible and excluded. This statement prompted criticism and calls for action.
Allegra Spender, a parliamentarian representing Sydney’s eastern suburbs, referred to the government’s decision as “disgraceful.” She was one of several cross-bench parliamentarians who wrote a letter to the prime minister, urging a reversal of the exclusion of LGBTIQA+ people from the 2026 Census. The letter highlighted the ABS’s previous statement, which led them to believe that the 2026 Census would finally recognize the LGBTIQA+ community.
The Greens party accused Labor of betraying the LGBTIQA+ community by not supporting the inclusion of questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex characteristics in the Census.
The inclusion of gender diversity questions in the Australian Census is a significant step towards recognizing and acknowledging the experiences and identities of the LGBTIQA+ community. It reflects the growing demand for inclusivity and highlights the importance of accurate data collection for effective policy-making and resource allocation.
