Marking the second anniversary of the Sex Files report, the federal Attorney-General’s department has announced an audit on how the government collects sex and gender data.

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Released back in 2009, the sex and gender identity project outlined 15 recommendations to improve the lives and conditions of gender-diverse people.

The federal Attorney-General’s office recently announced it would conduct a review of how and why government records sex and gender data.

While no timeline was provided, a spokeswoman from the federal Attorney-General’s department told OUTinPerth the review would focus on federal legislation, policies and forms.

“The Sex Files report makes several recommendations relating to the collection and recording of sex and gender data in government records,” the spokeswoman said.

“To address these issues, the Attorney-General’s Department will coordinate a review of how and why the Australian Government collects sex and gender data.

“During the 2010 election campaign, the Government confirmed that it will be introducing legislation to protect against discrimination on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity as part of its review and consolidation of federal anti-discrimination laws into a single Act.”

At last year’s national LGBTI Health In Difference conference, the department also announced a working group would tackle the recommendations applicable to the federal government. However, the working group was put on hold due to the announcement of the federal election.

WA Gender Project spokesperson Aram Hosie said he would have liked to have seen the recommendations implemented faster but was hopeful.

“I think the indications coming from the Attorney-General’s department are really encouraging,” Hosie said.

Hosie said federal policy changes would impact on areas like the Passport Office, Medicare, Centrelink and the taxation office. Outside the sex files report recommendations, Hosie said the government was looking into introducing anti-discrimination laws at a federal level on the grounds of gender identity.

“What I am more concerned about are the recommendations that apply at the state-level, they have to do with the legal sex recognition on birth certificates and the recommendations that have most impact on people’s lives and I haven’t seen any indication from the states that they’re interested in the recommendations,” he said.

“It’s frustrating that the level of government which is most willing to do something, (federal government), unfortunately doesn’t have the powers to make the changes which need to be made.”

Recommendations from the Sex Files report included considering the special needs of children and young people, inclusion of unspecified sex identities and finding accessible information about sex and gender identity.

Benn Dorrington