The federal government has reversed its decision to exclude broader questions about gender and sexuality from the 2026 census.
Speaking on ABC Radio Melbourne on Friday morning, Mr Albanese described it as a “common sense position” to ask the question, contradicting the government’s previous position not to include such questions in the next census.
“We’ve been talking to the Australian Bureau of Statistics and they’re going to be doing a trial to include a new question about sexuality,” she said.
“Yes, there will be, as long as the tests go well and a question can be developed in a sensitive manner that allows the necessary information to be obtained,” he said.
The move comes amid a wave of anger over an earlier decision not to include a previously promised question in the next census.
Hours before the Prime Minister’s announcement, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody lashed out at Jim Chalmers for defending the federal government’s decision not to include questions about gender and sexuality in the 2026 Census.
On Thursday, the Treasurer said the government was trying to avoid “evil and the use of weapons.” He was backed by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
But Ms Cody said Mr Chalmers’ justification was “patronising” and exclusionary.
The federal government has reversed its decision to exclude broader questions about gender and sexuality from the 2026 census, the Prime Minister has said.
“The national census is about collecting data on all Australians,” he told the ABC on Friday morning.
‘It informs the Australian Government when it is making policy on where to build homes, what schools are needed and what programs should be funded in an area.
“It has to be a comprehensive and inclusive document, and that’s what it’s all about, including LGBTQIA+ communities, making sure it’s an inclusive document rather than excluding a large section of the community.”
Ms Cody dismissed the Treasurer’s concerns about the use of weapons, saying “possible harm” was not a “sufficient excuse” and that the decision to exclude questions was actually “damaging”.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody said the federal government’s decision not to include questions about gender and sexuality in the 2026 census could “constitute unlawful discrimination.” Photo: provided
“LGBTQIA+ communities are asking to be included,” she said.
“It’s really condescending to say that because of the potential harm to those communities, we’re not going to include them at all.”
The commissioner warned that “it could constitute unlawful discrimination to exclude an entire section of the community from a really important document.”
Earlier this week, Ms Cody wrote to Deputy Treasurer Andrew Leigh calling on the government to amend its census questions.
He said he had not received a response.
Labour MP Josh Burns also spoke out against the government’s decision on Thursday.
He said the census data was intended to inform policies for all Australians.
Fellow Melbourne Labor MP Peter Khalil joined Mr Burns in suggesting the government reconsider the decision.
More to come.