Australia's Sex Party takes on 'nanny state'

Australia's sex industry launched a political party Thursday, vowing to fight what it called growing conservatism in a "nanny state" -- along with global economic crisis gloom.

The Australian Sex Party will run for senate seats on a platform of cheaper access to sexual dysfunction drugs and protection for porn workers against government censorship of the Internet, the founders said.

They also suggested that the tanking world economy and a possible local recession next year would stimulate demand for sex toys and porn films as Australians sought cheaper pleasures.

"We're a cheap luxury that can make you feel good," convenor and Eros industry group chief executive Fiona Patten said at the party's launch amidst pole dancers at the Melbourne Sexpo exhibition.

"There is a new conservatism creeping up in Australia -- we're becoming a nanny state where politicians can't talk about sex without giggling or saying something negative."

The Sex Party has already come under fire from the Australian Christian Lobby, which said it supports the exploitation and degradation of women through pornography and prostitution.

The party's platform includes opposition to government plans for a national Internet filter, with Patten saying the proposal to block up to 10,000 sites could cost 16,000 adult industry jobs.

"If they go ahead with what they propose, we'll wipe out the adult industry in the next five years," she said.

Patten said the party aimed to win parliamentary seats at both state and national levels, and had already signed up 500 members.

"We're serious about sex and we're serious about the Sex Party," she said.

Fed up with the upsurge in ulta conservative governments all over the world and the Over 1,000 sign up to new sex political party

The new Australian Sex Party has had more than 1,000 membership applications since its launch this week

Convenor Fiona Patten said although she knew there would be a significant amount of interest in the political party, the numbers so far had taken her by surprise.

"People are sick of not being treated like adults when it comes to issues involving censorship and personal choices, and they're certainly sick of living in a nanny state, where religious minorities are influencing the agenda," she said.

Interesting article OC. Will it be a 'serious' party? Meaning, will they take any seats of have any influence?

Is there any chance of getting inside the box, if so, I'm in

Not long ago if you remember, an Italian porn star made into their legislative body.

If the Aussies can attract similar material to warm the back benches, I'll gladly become the Chief Whip !!

Sex Political Party, would you join?

YES....immediately and I wish them a lot of success. The hypocritical behaviour by so many around the world needs a counterbalance.

It wouldn't surprise me if they would attract lots of supporters...after all, what's more normal than sex ?

Look in the streets....have a look in the churches, temples, mosques......if you see many people, they all come from......right !

I mean, in my own tiny country we have the Political Party for Animals....

Go figure

..don't believe me ? http://www.partijvoordedieren.nl/content/view/129

"The Party for the Animals became the world’s first animal rights party to get elected to office when they won 2 seats (and almost 2% of all votes) in the Dutch national parliament on November 22nd 2006. On March 7th 2007 they achieved another election victory in the Netherlands, winning 9 seats in the provincial governments. Tomorrow the next step will be 1 seat in the national Senate, a new ‘world’s first’."

I'll bet the Australian Sex Political Party will be even more successful

GO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SPP !

LaoPo

I met some of these people personally when I was in Adelaide. I was waiting for my divorce to come through and my lawyer had told me in no uncertain terms not to do any paid work but I got a "cash" job for a week at the exhibition hall during Sexpo Week.

They had a booth there promoting sex industry workers rights, legalisation of prostitution etc and I went over and had a chat to them during my break.

There's no way that they'll ever appeal to mainstream voters, but hopefully they can embarrass enough politicians to show that they supply a need in the community and the religious nutters only drive it underground and put it in the hand of criminals.

Prostitutes need protection from exploitation, most in Australia are enthusiastic professionals but a lot also don't want to be there and only sell themselves because economic pressure or threats of violence.

I doubt the party will ever gain political influence, but at least they are highlighting the trend to conservatism in Australia and so many other countries today. (Do I need to mention the USA?)

It's not only the muslim countries that are going ultra conservative.

Australia is becoming more and more influenced by church and some of the associated twisted values.

The last (Howard) government even appointed an Anglican church leader to the position of Governor-General thus combining the roles of church and state.

That GG had to resign when it became known that he was party to, or at least had knowledge of, a paedaphile coverup within his church.

Even the current "socialist" Prime Minister made his religious affiliations part of his electoral platform.

Come back Bob Hawke, all is forgiven!!!

I wonder if they will make an attempt to "buy" votes in the next election ? I'll bet they could get a "large" ground-"swell" of support with offers of free toys, videos, "favours" of a sexual nature.

Might be enough to "ride" them right into Parliament.

You can see the headlines now

" CUM join the party "

A whole new meaning to the term "swinging electorates"?

Was Paul Keating a closet member.....scumbags and bananas ?

I'll always remember Paul for "I'm talking to the engine, not the oil rag".

Interesting article OC. Will it be a 'serious' party? Meaning, will they take any seats of have any influence?

Might have to be careful taking seats, when you have a buttplug inserted already.

Suppose they'll be the ones blocking motions.