Albanese Government to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions in 2026 Census for First Time

Sep 7, 2024, 11:57 PM

The Albanese government has decided to include questions on sexual orientation and gender identity in the 2026 Census. This decision follows weeks of criticism and a political brawl over the exclusion of such questions. Jim Chalmers, the Treasurer, confirmed that there will be two questions addressing these topics, stating, 'We’ve listened to the community,' and emphasizing that 'LGBTIQ+ Australians matter.' Experts and health institutes have argued that these questions are critical for healthcare and not too complex. The questions revealed include inquiries about a person’s gender, sexual orientation, and whether they were born with a variation of sex characteristics. Chalmers also mentioned the 'collective responsibility' taken for previously excluding these questions.