LGBTIQ+ community disappointed by the exclusion of sexuality and gender questions in the next Census

Before the last election, Labor promised to include questions on sexuality and gender in the next Census for better data, but the government now says this will not happen. What could be the reason?

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says they have taken the decision to include questions on sexuality and gender in the next Census in order to avoid a fear campaign. Source: AAP

Key Points

• According to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, they made the decision to avoid a fear campaign.
• Members of the community are opposing the government's decision not to include questions on sexuality or gender in the Census.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the Australian Bureau of Statistics has begun testing the inclusion of a question on sexual preference ahead of the 2026 survey.