Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth has offered a fresh explanation for removing proposed questions on gender and sex variations from the 2026 census, describing them as “too complex.”
Speaking on Sky News on Sunday, Rishworth stressed the importance of simplicity in the census process, noting that the government had presented challenging questions for respondents to understand.
“We want people to complete the census, and we want simple questions that people can understand and answer,” Rishworth stated.
She emphasised that there is still time before the 2026 census to ensure the questions included are straightforward and appropriate.
This new explanation is the third from government officials regarding the decision to drop these questions. Earlier in the week, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles suggested the decision was made to avoid “divisive” debates, a sentiment echoed by other ministers, including Murray Watt.
Despite this, on Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated that a question on sexuality would still be included in the census. However, the questions on gender and intersex issues remain excluded.
Albanese reiterated that the government’s approach has been consistent, highlighting the importance of valuing all Australians regardless of their gender, race, faith, or sexual orientation.
He also mentioned that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) would work through the remaining issues in preparation for the 2026 census.
Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg has criticized the government’s approach, arguing that questions on sexual orientation and gender identity are reasonable for a modern society. He suggested that the Prime Minister’s shifting stance reflects a weakness in leadership.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also reversed his position on the matter. Initially dismissing the inclusion of such questions as part of a “woke agenda,” Dutton later stated he was “fine” with including gender and sexuality questions in the census.
In response to the ongoing debate, the Greens have announced their intention to push for a vote in the next parliamentary session if the original proposal is not reinstated.
