Australia's statistics bureau has vowed to improve work with the LGBTQI community after resolving a human rights complaint.
The inclusion of sexual orientation and gender questions was taken to the Australian Human Rights Commission following complaints LGBTQI communities felt invisible and excluded when completing the 2021 census.
They were raised by Newcastle parent April Long, who issued the complaint when unable to answer a question about sexual orientation in the survey.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics apologised on Monday and said it was aware that framing and some language used in questions, and "across the history of Australian censuses, was also seen or experienced by some as hurtful, confusing, demeaning and discriminatory".
"The ABS would like to acknowledge that April Long and Equality Australia have shared their experiences and the experiences of those they represent with the 2021 census, and worked constructively with the ABS in the spirit of improving the census going forward," it said in a statement.
"The ABS has worked, and will continue to work, closely with the LGBTIQ+ community in the development of the census, surveys and the design of statistical standards and classifications.
"The ABS is committed to processes and approaches for the 2026 census to minimise the risk of further harm."
A resolution to the discrimination complaint was welcomed by the AHRC.
“Not only does it help ensure that every person in this country is rightfully seen and counted, but it also showcases how the commission’s conciliation process can provide affordable access to justice and affect meaningful, systemic change," commission president Rosalind Croucher said.
The bureau will establish a committee of representatives from LGBTQI community organisations and other experts for the 2026 census.
It will provide advice on topics and questions for the census, educational materials and the processing, analysis and dissemination of the data the ABS obtains.
The bureau is also reviewing its standard for sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientations in partnership with LGBTQI community representatives.
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