Census debate highlights GPs’ need for inclusive data

As debate continues over the inclusion of census questions for gender-diverse and LGBTQIA+ Australians, one GP expert says the focus should instead be on ensuring quality data is collected to aid healthcare provision.
 
The Federal Government recently announced it would not include proposed questions on sexuality and gender identity within the 2026 national survey, citing fears it would be ‘divisive’.
 
It was a decision which would go on to create fierce backlash, both internally and externally, and led Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to since confirm that a question based on sexuality will be included.
 
‘We’ve been talking with the Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS] and they are going to test for a new question, one on sexuality,’ he told the ABC.
 
But as this debate continues, RACGP Specific Interests Transgender and Gender-Diverse Healthcare Deputy Chair, Dr Sean Stevens, says politics should be taken out of the equation.
 
Gathering inclusive data is an opportunity, Dr Stevens says, to be able to plan properly for the needs of vulnerable communities.
 
‘It can contribute a lot,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘This is a foundation block for future health workforce planning, for policy, for allocation of service and resources.
 
‘If it’s not measured, it doesn’t exist, and if we don’t measure this, we’re going to be left in another three- or four-years’ time, still having the same arguments around what the need is.’
 
The latest ABS data shows LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse people have significantly higher rates of distress, as well as ‘poorer social, emotional and psychological wellbeing and mental health’.
 
‘Community connectedness and positive relationships can act as protective factors creating a sense of belonging and affirming identity and value for LGBTQIA+ people,’ the ABS said.
 
‘At the same time, people in LGBTQIA+ communities often experience stigma, discrimination, bullying, violence and exclusion.’
 
A recent study also found healthcare is where LGBTQIA+ Australians feel least accepted, compared to work, family and educational settings.
 
Dr Stevens says the range of issues that are more prevalent in these communities, as well as complex physical care, means they are important groups to include in any health data.
 
‘We’re advocating just to get the information for a marginalised population, and then we can have a reasoned discussion and try and take some of the emotion out of what has been a very polarising debate,’ he said.
 
‘If you look at the reports from people from the trans and gender-diverse community, the majority of them report difficulties accessing healthcare and delaying healthcare because of perceived marginalisation from healthcare providers, so it’s important to include them.
 
‘We need this data to be able to plan properly for this really vulnerable community.’
 
So far, there has only been confirmation that one question on sexuality will be tested for inclusion in the census, with Prime Minister Albanese telling the ABC it would be a ‘commonsense position’.
 
Dr Stevens says he is concerned over the lack of clarity as to whether gender diversity will also be included.
 
‘Your sexuality is very different to your gender identity,’ he said.
 
‘You can have somebody who’s trans but not gay and the healthcare needs there are really quite different.’
 
The questions are expected to be discussed in Federal Parliament later this month.  
 
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census gender-diverse health LGBTQIA+ RACGP Specific Interests transgender health