2SER: Federal Government under fire for lack of LGBTQI+ representation in 2026 census

The 2021 Census faced heavy criticism for not including questions about members of the LGBTQI+ community in Australia.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released a statement of regret, and the Labor Party added a commitment to count LGBTIQ+ Australians at the next census.

However, after dropping the proposed new questions in August this year due to concerns of being ‘too complex’, the Federal Government has conceded to adding two questions amid significant backlash from the community.

Alastair Lawrie, our Director of Policy and Advocacy, was on a committee advising the Australian Bureau of Statistics on LGBTIQ inclusion in the Census and says the issue is far from over. While it is small progress, some LGBTQI+ Australians will still be excluded from the national survey.

Alastair Lawrie joined 2SER Breakfast to discuss.