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Saturday Magazine

2 Sep 2024

Saturday, 31st, August, 2024: Anna Brown, Equality Australia Census Exclusion Backflip

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Saturday, 31st, August, 2024: Anna Brown, Equality Australia Census Exclusion Backflip

Nevena and Macca talk to Anna Brown, Equality Australia Census Exclusion Backflip

The federal government on Sunday, 25th August, 2024,  confirmed that it would not be changing the topics for the next census, despite the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) including gender, sexual orientation and variations of sex characteristics in the proposed shortlist.

“The federal government has betrayed LGBTIQ+ people around Australia who will again be rendered invisible in 2026 because the census won’t ask appropriate questions about who they are and how they live,” said Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown.

“Our communities will continue to feel invisible and demeaned because the federal government hasn’t taken this opportunity to finally reflect the diversity of Australia and gather crucial information about the kinds of services people need.”

In the last census, LGBTIQ+ people who were single, trans and gender diverse, intersex or living in notionally heterosexual relationships were not counted because the census did not include questions on gender identity, sexual orientation and variations in sex characteristics.

The ABS issued a statement of regret last year acknowledging the hurt and distress this caused some people, following a human rights complaint brought by Equality Australia and non-binary parent April Long.

The ABS also made a raft of commitments, including an LGBTIQ+ Expert Advisory Committee to advise on topics, questions, analysis and dissemination of data for the next census in 2026.

“It is staggering that after all that work, the statement of regret and the clear need for relevant data, the federal government has made the call not to proceed with new topics,” Ms Brown said.

Federal government betrays LGBTIQ+ people following call on 2026 Census 

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