Services Australia: Sexuality and gender survey described as a ‘waste of taxpayers’ money’

Services Australia has surveyed staff about their pronouns and sexual orientation as part of a “gender diversity” commitment.

The move has been criticized as a waste of taxpayers’ money at a time when ordinary Australians are already struggling with the cost of living crisis.

The questionnaire was facilitated by ACON, an HIV and LGBTQI lobby and advocacy group, as part of a ‘Pride in Diversity’ employer support program designed to improve the inclusion of sexually and gender diverse people in the workplace. .

Staff were asked to check the box that “best describes their gender identity,” selecting from the options male, female, nonbinary, or a different term.

They were also asked to confirm whether they were heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, queer, pansexual, asexual, or if they used a different term.

Liberal senator Claire Chandler told Daily Mail Australia it was “absurd that taxpayers’ money is not being used to help Australian households, but to promote a fringe ideology developed by a pressure group”, especially given the cost of living crisis.

‘It is outrageous that government agencies are wasting public funds surveying staff about pronouns and whether they are pansexual or asexual.

“It is clear that the upper echelons of the bureaucracy are obsessed with pushing the propaganda of gender ideology among their own staff and the Australian public.”

Elsewhere in the survey, staff were asked to confirm their personal pronouns and reveal whether they matched their “sex recorded at birth, as indicated on the original birth certificate.”

Staff were also asked if they considered themselves neurodivergent (which includes autism spectrum disorder and ADHD) or if they considered themselves diverse in some other way that could be seen as “a barrier to their career or to being fully included at work.” .

They were assured that all submissions would be sent to Services Australia anonymously; however, there were several warnings that the written submissions would be provided “as is,” that is, if a participant provided details that could identify them, they would be transmitted.

When contacted for comment, a Services Australia spokesperson said the survey “gives the agency a better understanding of the diversity within our teams”.

They added: “We are committed to building a culture where all staff are valued and recognized for their skills, qualities, ideas and perspectives.”

Daily Mail Australia understands the survey was voluntary and around 10 per cent of staff chose to participate anonymously.

ACON, which stands for AIDS Council of New South Wales, sparked public protests in 2022 when it advocated for the words “mother” and “father” to be replaced with “primary carer” and “secondary carer” in the workplace.

At the time, a spokesperson said the goal of the employer support program was to create more inclusive workplaces for LGBTQI+ employees.

‘Our members strive to include all employees and create inclusive workplaces for all Australians. “Pride in Diversity provides members with LGBTQ expertise in this aspect of their diversity and inclusion strategy,” the organization said.

‘Pride in Diversity was created following requests from employers seeking advice and support in this area to enable parity with their international offices and emerging best practice in diversity and inclusion.’

The organization has several ongoing contracts with government bodies, and Services Australia itself has boasted being recognized as a “gold level employer” in the Australian Workplace Equality Index, which is also run by ACON.

Services Australia said: “We have achieved this through inclusive human resources policies, equal benefits for same-sex couples, access to paid and unpaid leave for transgender and gender diverse staff to affirm their gender and celebrating important days for LGBTI+ staff”.

The government organization also has an LGBTQI+ ally program which is designed to “raise awareness” and teach other staff how to be good allies, and ensure that important days for the community are appropriately recognized and celebrated.

Transgender and gender diverse staff have access to paid and unpaid gender-affirming leave, and staff are encouraged to wear business attire that more accurately reflects their gender, as well as use facilities they feel comfortable with. .

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Services Australia for comment.