This article was originally published by QNews. You can find the original article here.
Senator Lidia Thorpe has called on the federal government to include questions on gender identity and sex characteristics in the next census, following an inquest into the tragic suicides of transgender women in Melbourne.
The Independent Victorian Senator reminded the Albanese government that last month, a Victorian coroner handed down a report into the deaths of Melbourne trans woman Bridget Flack, who died by suicide in 2020, as well as four other trans women including Natalie Wilson, Matt Byrne and Heather Pierard.
In her report, Coroner Ingrid Giles said the inquest highlighted the need for improved data collection on trans and gender-diverse communities.
“Robust data is needed as a matter of priority to inform health, wellbeing, and suicide prevention initiatives in the TGD community,” Giles wrote.
Just days earlier, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backtracked on a Labor commitment to include questions on gender and sex characteristics in the 2026 Census.
A bizarre series of justifications followed before Albanese committed to one new question only, on sexual orientation.
Lidia Thorpe has said the Albanese government’s decision to exclude new questions on gender identity and sex characteristics from the census is “appalling.”
“This irresponsible and divisive decision will harm intersex, trans and gender diverse people,” she said.
“Not only because it singles them out to be left uncounted, but because it will have real impacts on people’s access to healthcare and services.”
“They need to stick to their promise and reverse this decision.
‘A tragic example of why this is urgent’
Lidia Thorpe, who is a Senator in Victoria, said trans woman Bridget Flack was a constituent of hers and the Albanese government must listen to the coroner.
“Bridget Flack’s story is a tragic example of why this is urgent,” Senator Thorpe said.
“She was an artist and a vibrant member of our local community. Bridget died by suicide after a long period of being denied access to the services she needed.
“The Victorian Coroner has said that to properly support the needs of the trans and gender diverse community, we need better data and that the Australian census is a good way to do this data collection.”
Some of Australia’s biggest health institutes have also made a similar call earlier in the week. They said improved population data on gender identity and sex characteristics is “critical” for identifying health needs.
Senator Thorpe said it was “utterly shameful” that Anthony Albanese is dismissing the Coroner’s findings, and the health experts’ calls.
“We need accurate information that can tell us where intersex, trans and gender diverse people are living so governments and organisations know where services are most needed,” she said.
“We need to stand strong with the trans and gender diverse community right now,” Senator Thorpe said.
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