Australia’s National Statistician has revealed today in Senate Estimates that 20,000 trial census forms containing questions related to sexual orientation and gender identity will not be used, following intervention from Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar’s office.
Anna Brown*, CEO of Equality Australia, said “ We’re disappointed to hear reports that Minister Sukkar’s office has intervened to ensure that LGBTI questions have been excluded from the census test forms”
“The census isn’t just a population count. It has to accurately reflect the diversity of our nation. When it doesn’t, we all lose out. The information collected in the census underpins government funding and planning for essential and life-changing programs. Census data can be used to improve the lives of LGBTIQ+ Australians through better understanding of what resources are required and where”,
Equality Australia is worried that exclusion of this data from the census is detrimental to LGBTIQ+ Australians.
“When LGBTIQ+ Australians aren’t considered in policy and programming decisions, it is harder for our community to access safe and supportive community and residential services. This includes in aged care, domestic and family violence programs, as well as homelessness and disability services.”
ENDS
*uses she/her pronouns
MEDIA CONTACT:
Paige Burton
0418 432 030
paige.burton@equalityaustralia.org.au