Gender Identity Question to Be Added to Next Census following Public Pressure

August 29, 2024 TruthUSA

The Labor Party was divided during the week-long debate, with progressive electorates advocating for the inclusion of gender diversity questions.

A dispute over questions on sexuality in the upcoming Census has prompted the Australian Bureau of Statistics to add questions on gender identity or preference.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Aug. 30 that the relevant questions are currently being developed.

“They are planning to include a new question about sexuality, sexual preference,” he stated on ABC Radio. “They will also ensure that individuals have the option of not responding.”

This decision came after significant pressure from progressive leaders, organizations, and media outlets over the past week. The 2026 Census was initially set to feature the same questions as the 2021 edition.

Progressive Pressure Drives Government Action

The disagreement among Labor MPs was evident, especially with Victorian members openly supporting the inclusion of questions about individuals’ sexuality.

Josh Burns, the Federal Labor Member for Macnamara, expressed his support for asking about residents’ sexuality, deviating from the party’s stance.

Burns represents suburbs like St Kilda and Port Melbourne in inner-city Melbourne.

“I am proud to represent our LGBTIQA+ community. They matter and should be acknowledged. The census is a crucial tool for informing government decision-making and service delivery,” he said on X.

“We made this decision because we want to avoid sparking contentious debates within the community at this time,” Marles mentioned during a press conference.

Peter Khalil, the Federal Labor Member for Wills representing an area in Melbourne’s inner north, also advocated for inquiries regarding sexuality and gender identity.

“I have expressed my views, as well as those of the LGBTIQA+ community in my electorate, to our leadership,” he said.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers acknowledged people’s disappointment, but emphasized that the government’s focus was primarily on other priorities, such as the cost of living.

“It’s not uncommon for the ABS to test and refine questions in advance, leading to our current situation. However, the Census itself will not take place until 2026. Our aim has been to prevent some of the negativity that often arises in the lead-up to the Census,” he explained on ABC radio.

When questioned about potential reconsideration of the decision, Chalmers responded, “I’m not indicating that. My role is to clarify how we reached this point and why.”

Meanwhile, Victorian Labor Minister for Equality Harriet Shing, an openly lesbian MP from the party’s left faction, urged federal Labor to reevaluate their stance.

“I request a review and reflection on the implications of this decision for our diverse LGBTIQA+ communities, and I welcome ongoing collaboration on this matter,” she stated.

Opposition Expresses Concerns about ‘Woke Agenda’

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton supported federal Labor’s Census questions and expressed reservations about the ‘woke agenda’.

“I believe that our current set of questions and the long-standing data collection methods have served our country well,” he remarked.

“If there’s an agenda that contradicts the views of the majority of Australians, the prime minister should make that case. However, we are content with our current procedures,” Dutton added.

Equality Australia opposed the federal government’s decision not to include questions about the LGBT community.

“We deserve to be represented in the census. The notion that acknowledging LGBTIQ people is divisive is profoundly offensive and incorrect,” they stated.

The Census and LGBT Individuals

The Australian Bureau of Statistics initially stated that the upcoming Census would remain unchanged.

“This decision means that there will be no new topics introduced for the 2026 census and no existing topics removed,” the ABS clarified.

However, the ABS previously acknowledged the absence of questions concerning gender diversity.

“The ABS recognizes that for some respondents, the lack of questions about their gender identity, sex characteristics variations, or sexual orientation made them feel invisible and excluded when completing the Census and in the resulting data,” the statement at the time noted.

Allegra Spender, the “Teal” MP representing Sydney’s eastern suburbs, called on the government to reverse what she described as a “shameful” decision.

She was one of several cross-bench parliamentarians who wrote to the prime minister.

“We are urging the government to reverse its choice to exclude LGBTIQA+ individuals from the 2026 census,” the letter stated.

In this letter, the parliamentarians referenced the ABS statement in 2023, which led them to believe that LGBT individuals would finally be acknowledged in the 2026 Census.

Meanwhile, the Greens accused Labor of betraying the LGBT community.

“Including questions related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex characteristics in the Census,” the Greens emphasized.

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