Australian Census will continue to exclude LGBT+ issues

The Australian government has announced that the 2026 Census will maintain the same topics as the 2021 Census, without including new questions or removing existing ones. The decision means that the census will not address questions related to gender identity or sexual orientation, topics of importance to the queer community that were excluded from the previous survey.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has previously acknowledged that the absence of questions about the LGBTQIA+ community in the 2021 Census caused discomfort and negative reactions from some members of the community. Despite this, the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has chosen not to include any new topics in the upcoming census.

Anna Brown, CEO of Equality Australia, criticized the decision, saying the lack of data makes it difficult to understand where and how LGBT+ people live in Australia. Brown stressed that such data is essential for service delivery and policymaking.

Following the government’s announcement, the ABS has decided to cancel the 2024 Census Trial, which would have included topics that will now not be present in the 2026 Census. Australian statistician Dr David Gruen AO said trial plans will be adjusted to ensure the next census is safe and effective.

The absence of specific questions about the LGBTQIA+ community in the census continues to be a point of debate, with criticism directed at the lack of inclusion and visibility of this population in national surveys.

By Ezatamentchy