Despite its racy name, Australia’s newest political party has some serious issues on its agenda and will consider setting up a branch in WA if they can gain enough support.
The Australian Sex Party has enrolled nearly 2,000 members since its inception in November and aims to reach 10,000 by the end of the year.
In Perth for Sexpo late last month, party convenor Fiona Patten, believes an alternative voice is needed in Australian politics to campaign for the personal freedom and social justice issues that the major political parties do not want to confront.
Legalising non-violent erotic DVDs and prostitution, same-sex marriage, legalised abortion and better sex education in schools are all an important part of the Sex Party policy base; however it was the Rudd Government’s proposed internet filter that spurred Ms Patten into action.
‘When (the government) decided on the compulsory internet filter that was going to ban all X-rated material online or prohibit Australians from accessing it, that was kind of the final straw for us,’ she said.
‘We thought we’ve got to get in there and try to make change from within.’
Ms Patten told OUTinPerth that the Sex Party has its sights set on the senate, where she feels they can make the most impact.
‘When you look at some of the issues that have been coming up in the senate and the power and the influence that groups like Family First and the Australian Christian Lobby have on so many social issues, we really thought it was time another voice was heard,’ she said.
‘And when you think that a quarter of the population are customers of the adult industry, we actually think we have quite a good chance of getting someone elected.’
With almost 20 years experience as a lobbyist for censorship and sex industry issues, Ms Patten has been using social networking sites to draw attention to the Sex Party and met with Us President Obama’s technical advisor on a recent trip to Australia.
GLBTI rights are high on the Sex Party’s agenda and Ms Patten says she would be eager to fight for same-sex marriage and adoption in government.
‘We figure there should be absolutely no discrimination in law on the grounds of sexuality.
‘I think it’s frightful at the moment that the government is taking some steps in recognising gay couples, with social security for example, but not going to the next step and actually recognising gay couples in the rest of the law. I think that’s certainly a major issue for us.’
For more information, go to www.sexparty.org.au
***
