Albanian government confirms significant change to 2026 census

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has confirmed that questions on sexual orientation and gender will be included in the 2026 census.

In response to the government’s decision to exclude such questions, breaking an election promise, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese late last month said the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) was testing a “new question”.

Mr Chalmers, the minister responsible for ABS, confirmed on Sunday that the Government had done a backflip.

“We will be adding a new topic that covers both sexual orientation and gender,” he told Insider.

“This will be the first time in the 2026 census.”

He said the government had “listened to the community.”

“LGBTQI+ Australians matter. They have been heard and will be counted in the 2026 census,” the Treasurer said.

Mr Chalmers has previously said he fears the questions could become a “weapon” in remarks justifying the Government’s decision to exclude them.

In response to the backlash over the government’s decision to exclude such questions, breaking an election promise, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said late last month that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) was testing a “new question”

“LGBTQI+ Australians matter. They have been heard and will be counted in the 2026 census,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said

He was slammed by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody, who called his comments “patronising”.

“We had good intentions, we listened to the community, we worked with the ABS and we said we would find the best solution,” Dr Chalmers said on Sunday.

“We believe in listening, collaborating with the ABS and the community and consulting in a really honest way.”

Several Labour MPs opposed the government’s initial decision to rule out questions.