Michael McLaren has been left questioning if Australia really needs a Census, asking if the “snapshot of the nation” still matters in 2026.

The Afternoons’ host says the government already knows the information that they’re after and many of the questions are irrelevant.

“If it’s to remain relevant, the Census has to find a new purpose … In 21st-century Australia, it should be about anticipating where we go next, what infrastructure we’ll need, and how to efficiently allocate resources to the areas of greatest need,” he said.

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Image: Australian Bureau of Statistics.