Senator Lidia Thorpe is calling on the federal government to commit to including questions on gender identity and sex characteristics in the 2026 Australian Census, highlighting recent findings made by the Victorian Coroner into the suicide deaths of five young transgender women.

In her report, Coroner Ingrid Giles noted that one of the resounding themes of the inquest was the need for improved data collection on the trans and gender diverse community, writing:

“Robust data is needed as a matter of priority to inform health, wellbeing, and suicide prevention initiatives in the TGD community.”

“It is evident that accurate estimates of the proportion, distribution, and composition of the TGD population, as well as projections of resources required to adequately support health needs of TGD people, will ultimately depend on the availability of systematically collected high-quality data, such as via the Australian census.”

The Coroners findings were handed down on August 29, the day before Prime Minister Albanese rescinded his commitment to include questions on gender, sex characteristics and sexuality in the 2026 Census. 

Major health institutes yesterday echoed the findings of the Coroner, saying that improved population data on gender identity and sex characteristics is “critical” for identifying health needs.

Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:

"The decision by the Albanese government to exclude questions on gender identity and sex characteristics from the census is appalling."

"They need to stick to their promise and reverse this decision.”

"This irresponsible and divisive decision will harm intersex, trans and gender diverse people. Not only because it singles them out to be left uncounted, but because it will have real impacts on people’s access to healthcare and services."

“Bridget Flack’s story is a tragic example of why this is urgent. Bridget was a transgender woman who was one of my constituents. She was an artist and a vibrant member of our local community. Bridget died by suicide after a long period of being denied access to the services she needed.”

"The Victorian Coroner has said that to properly support the needs of the trans and gender diverse community, we need better data, and that the Australian census is a good way to do this data collection."

"We need accurate information that can tell us where intersex, trans and gender diverse people are living so governments and organisations know where services are most needed."

"It’s utterly shameful that Albanese is dismissing the Coroner’s findings, and the calls from health experts."

"We need to stand strong with the trans and gender diverse community right now."