Government Retreat on Census Questions

The Albanese Government has decided not to include questions on sexuality and gender diversity in the upcoming census, which has stirred significant backlash from the LGBTQI+ community. This decision is framed as an attempt to avoid divisive debates, which critics argue renders these communities invisible in national data collection. The government had previously discussed including important questions about gender identity change and sexual orientation in the census, suggesting that there was community interest in these topics. The sudden reversal has raised concerns that the government is retreating from addressing critical social issues and prioritizing political safety over inclusivity.