2026 Census Sparks Outcry from LGBTIQ+ Community

This week (Sunday 25 August 2024) the Australian federal government confirmed that it would not be changing the topics for the next census, despite the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) including gender, sexual orientation and variations of sex characteristics in the proposed shortlist. 

 “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,” said 

In a press release, Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown made it clear she was not happy;

“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.” 

In the last census, LGBTIQ+ people who were single, trans and gender diverse, intersex or living in notionally heterosexual relationships were not counted because the census did not include questions on gender identity, sexual orientation and variations in sex characteristics. 

The ABS issued a statement of regret last year acknowledging the hurt and distress this caused some people, following a human rights complaint brought by Equality Australia and non-binary parent April Long. 

The ABS also made a raft of commitments, including an LGBTIQ+ Expert Advisory Committee to advise on topics, questions, analysis and dissemination of data for the next census in 2026.  

“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,” Ms Brown said.

“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. 

“Today’s outcome is devastating. 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. 

“This isn’t just about numbers or data, it’s about our basic human right to be counted, recognised and valued. It’s about ensuring our census counts everyone.” 

“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.” 

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said the choice to not include the question in the 2026 census was to avoid opening “a divisive debate”.

But LGBTIQ+ Health Australia chief executive Nicky Bath says her community already experiences controversy.

“We know at times we have to trade on those divisive debates for us to be able to progress,”

 “When we’re now placed in this position where we’re surrounded by these divisive conversations for no gain, it’s even more distressing.” she told AAP.

While Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he understood the feedback from the community, “the census is still a couple of years away and our focus has been on other things, including the cost of living”.

“Our goal here has been to try and avoid some of the nastiness … in the lead up to the census,” he told ABC radio on Thursday.

He said he took “people’s feedback seriously” but would not reverse the decision.

“We know that people are unhappy about this, we don’t take that lightly,” he said

Calls for PM to be uninvited from Mardi Gras

As a result of the omission of these questions from the 2026 census, some LGBTIQ+ activists and community members feel that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should be uninvited from next year’s Mardi Gras parade.

Albanese became the first sitting PM to ever march in Sydney’s Mardi Gras parade in 2023.

Mr Albanese may have marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for WorldPride last year, but in the eyes of many LGBTIQA+ Australians he has now pulled up the draw bridge to equality,” said Just Equal Australia spokesperson Rodney Croome.

“Mr Albanese says he wants to promote social cohesion and prevent division, but by pushing LGBTIQA+ Australians back into the statistical closet he is doing exactly the opposite.”

Notably, his government’s decision not to include the questions goes against the Labor Party’s 2023 promise that the 2026 census would collect “relevant data on LGBTIQ+ Australians”.

In Canberra, Andrew Barr ACT Chief Minister relased a statment saying: