This article was originally published by QNews. You can find the original article here.
The Deputy Prime Minister has claimed the government’s decision to quietly axe new questions about sexuality and gender from the next census was made to avoid “divisive debates” on the issue.
The federal government confirmed at the weekend that topics on sexuality and gender identity would not be added to the 2026 census.
The decision sparked serious backlash from blindsided LGBTQIA+ advocates, who say it renders queer Aussies “invisible” in the country’s largest population snapshot.
No reason was given until acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Wednesday the next Census in 2026 will use the same set of questions to avoid harmful debates.
“We don’t want to open up a divisive debate in relation to this issue. We’ve seen how divisive debates have played out across out country,” he said.
“The last thing we want to do is inflict that debate on a sector of our community right now, that’s why we’re taking, in broad terms, the set of questions that went to the last census.
“We want the census to gather as much useful data for our country as possible, as we see this as being the best way forward.
“We’re confident that in taking forward the questions which went to the last census to the next, that’s the best way we get the most accurate picture across the board of the Australian society.”
‘Every policy now has an asterisk next to it’
The decision came just weeks after the government dumped a long-promised reform to protect LGBTIQA+ staff and students in religious schools from discrimination.
Greens leader Adam Bandt reminded the National Press Club the federal government shelved the anti-discrimination reforms, citing a lack of support from Opposition leader Peter Dutton.
“On the one hand Labor says he the most divisive person ever and on the other hand they’re saying, ‘we’re not going to legislate unless Dutton gives it the tick’,” Adam Bandt said.
“You cannot believe a single thing Labor takes to the election. It now has an asterisk next to it. Every election policy from Labor will only be implemented if Peter Dutton agrees.”
Victorian Labor Equality Minister Harriet Shing urged the federal government to reverse the decision. Shing said “relevant and accurate” population data is important for public policy.
Rainbow Labor NSW also called on the government to reconsider and keep the promise made in the 2023 National Labor Party Platform.
“All LGBTQ+ people deserve to be included in the Census. Without being included… our community remains invisible in the eyes of the nation,” they said in a statement.
“Every delay denies our community the right to seen, be heard and to be helped. We deserve better than this.”
Remember the marriage equality postal survey?
NSW state independent MP Alex Greenwich, who’s gay and was a top marriage equality campaigner, criticised the government’s census snub.
“If this decision sticks, the government could expect LGBTQ people and our families not to participate in the next census,” he said.
“If by default we are counted as straight, that’s deeply hurtful to a part of the population forced into the closet for many years.
“A few years back, every Australian’s view on our relationships was counted in the postal survey for marriage equality. The very least the government can do is count us in the census.”
