The Australian census will be issued next month and it will be mandatory for all citizens to fill it out.
But this one will be different to the previous two as the survey has been updated for the first time since 2006.
The census is only dished out every five years and there is a lengthy process involved in squeezing in a new topic or question.
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According to the ABC, there have been more than 450 submissions on what the survey could ask Australians across the country, and they range from topics about sexuality, health, education and family. Eventually there were eight that were shortlisted.
Out of the eight, the decision has been made to include two new questions to help give a more accurate snapshot of the people living in the country.
People will be able to tick yes or no to whether they have any past or current Australian Defence Force service, and whether they have any long-term health conditions.
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It's an interesting decision out of so many options, however the people behind the census believe it's vitally important to get this information as it will help the government make informed decisions about how to best address issues in the country.
Even more interesting is the decision to omit gender identity and sexuality considering there has been a massive push for it to be included in recent years.
Health Minister Greg Hunt actively campaigned for the two topics' inclusion and said the information would 'greatly inform the government's knowledge about the LGBTI+ population cohort in Australia in the 2021 census'.
Liberal MP Katie Allen joined that fight, adding: "I do believe we need to have questions such as those being discussed...because we know the LGBTI communities are more vulnerable with regards to some aspects of healthcare provision, particularly some aspects of mental healthcare."
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However, Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar, who decides the census topics, was accused of intervening in the census question selection and the Australian Bureau of Statistics decided to drop the two topics, according to the Guardian.
Australian Statistician David Kalisch confirmed it was ultimately his call on what happened, however admitted Mr Sukkar's office 'did express a preference'.
He also said there were 'some sensitivities' around the questions relating to sexuality or gender identity because 'some people in the broader community' were 'challenged to understand' what the question about gender meant.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Australia
