Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Rice, I move general business notice of motion No. 219:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer, by 28 November 2019:

(a) a copy of the unused census test form, including new questions on gender and sexuality;

(b) any analysis undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as to whether these questions contribute to an understanding of the health needs, outcomes and wellbeing of the LGBTIQ+ community; and

(c) any communications between Ministers or their offices and the Australian Bureau of Statistics in relation to these questions.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Chief Statistician of the ABS is responsible for determining the content and the objectives of the testing program for the census test. The ABS did not seek the government's agreement to the topics to be included in the census test. The ABS sometimes prints multiple versions for testing in different locations, and it is a matter for the ABS to determine which tests ultimately go into the field. On the matter of topics to be included in the 2020-21 census, the ABS provided advice to the government and the government is currently considering the recommendations.

Question agreed to.