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The census debacle of Labor’s own making

Sep 2, 2024
In this insightful discussion, political reporter Amy Remeikis teams up with host Nour Haydar to dissect the recent controversies surrounding the Australian census. They delve into Labor's backtracking on gender identity questions, revealing the urgency for inclusivity. Remeikis uncovers the internal backlash within the Labor party and the risks of alienating supporters amid culture wars. The conversation highlights how these decisions impact the LGBTQ+ community and the potential for policy invisibility, sparking a critical dialogue on representation.
23:50

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The exclusion of LGBTQ+ questions in the census underscores significant shortcomings in resource allocation and representation for these communities.
  • Labor's indecision on including gender identity questions illustrates the party's struggle to balance internal dissent and external cultural sensitivities.

Deep dives

LGBTQ+ Exclusion in the Census

The absence of questions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in the Australian census has long been a point of contention among LGBTQ+ advocates. This exclusion affects the government's ability to accurately allocate health resources and implement programs that address disparities faced by these communities. A notable incident involved a Newcastle parent, April Long, who filed a complaint in 2022 after feeling marginalized due to the lack of inclusive questions in the census. This led to the Australian Bureau of Statistics acknowledging the oversight but ultimately, the Labor government backtracked on plans to rectify it, creating frustration among those advocating for proper representation.

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