INCOMING U.S. ADMINISTRATION TO JUMP AHEAD OF AUSTRALIA ON CENSUS QUESTIONS

 

National LGBTIQ+ advocacy group, just.equal, says new guidelines from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) regarding the collection of data on sex, gender, sexual orientation and variations of sex characterstics are a step forward (see attached statement and fact sheet from LGBTQ+ Health Australia).

 

But the group continues to call on the Federal Government to allow Census questions regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and variations of sex characterstics, questions the Morrison Government has been accused of blocking.

 

The new ABS standards will help ensure data collected in Australia is consistent and comparable across government, academia and the private sector.

 

Just.equal spokesperson Rodney Croome, said,

 

"LGBTIQ+ Health Australia is to be applauded for leading the push to gather better, official demographic data on LGBTIQ+ people."

 

"Better data will be the basis for planning and funding better health and social services for LGBTIQ+ Australians."

 

"It is aggrieving that the current Federal Government has not approved the ABS asking Census questions about sexual orientation, gender identity and variations of sex characterstics."

 

"These questions are approved for the New Zealand Census and the incoming U.S. administration has promised they will be asked in that country as well."

 

"We are hopeful the new ABS guidelines will be an important step in the same direction."

 

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here