Key Points
- The federal government said last month it would not add new questions about the LGBTIQ+ community to the next census.
- After a backlash, Anthony Albanese announced a partial backflip, with a question about sexuality to be included.
- Lidia Thorpe says excluding questions about gender identity and sexual characteristics is “irresponsible and divisive”.
This article contains references to suicide.
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has called on the federal government to include more questions about the LGBTIQ+ community in the next census, saying failure to do so would “harm” intersex, transgender and gender diverse Australians.
Labor promised in its 2023 national platform that the would be counted in the 2026 census.
But late last month the government walked back that commitment, despite the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) working with an advisory committee of LGBTIQ+ experts to develop and propose new questions for inclusion.
This decision – which the government claimed to be– sparked strong criticism from LGBTIQ+ groups and advocates, experts and some MPs
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reversed course on Friday and confirmed on “sexuality, sexual preference” will appear in the next census.
Thorpe said not including all of the proposed new questions in the census would not only mean intersex, transgender and gender diverse Australians would be “left uncounted”, but it would also have “real impacts” on their access to health care. health and other services.
“The decision of the Albanian government to exclude questions on gender identity and sexual characteristics from the census is appalling,” she said in a statement on Thursday.
“They must keep their promise and reverse this decision.
“This irresponsible and divisive decision will harm intersex, trans and gender diverse people.”
Thorpe highlighted recent findings by the Victorian coroner into the suicide deaths of five young transgender women, which highlighted the need for improved community data collection.
“Robust data is needed as a priority to inform health, wellbeing and suicide prevention initiatives in the TGD (transgender and gender diverse) community,” coroner Ingrid Giles wrote in her report on which was delivered last Thursday.
“It is evident that accurate estimates of the proportion, distribution and composition of the TGD population, as well as resource projections are needed to adequately meet the health needs of TGD people, will ultimately depend the availability of high quality, systematically collected data, such as through the Australian Census.
On Wednesday, several major health and research organizations released a joint statement warning of potential adverse effects that including the questions could cause.
“When populations are invisible in the census, they are at increased risk of marginalization and disadvantage,” the statement said.
“Omitting comprehensive data collection on sex, gender and innate variations in sex characteristics in the 2026 census will undermine our ability to understand the health needs and socio-economic wellbeing of LGBTI+ populations. “
Thorpe said it was clear that accurate information about where intersex, transgender and gender diverse Australians live was needed so services and support could be targeted to those areas.
“It is absolutely shameful that Albanese rejects the [Victorian] the coroner’s findings and the appeals of health experts,” she said.
“We must stand strong alongside the trans and gender diverse community now.”
How are LGBTIQ+ Australians reflected in the census?
In 2016, for the first time since 1911, the online version of the census offered a gender other than male or female, with the option “other”.
Then, in 2021, the census allowed all respondents to choose between male, female, and non-binary.
There were no questions about gender, variations in sex characteristics, or sexuality.
With reporting by David Aidone and Ewa Staszewska
Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people under 25). More mental health information and support is available at and at 1300 22 4636.
LGBTIQ+ Australians seeking support with mental health can contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit . also has a list of support services.
Intersex Australians seeking support can visit Intersex Peer Support Australia at isupport.org.au
