Word for Word

31 May 2015

An Enduring Relationship – Politics, Porn, Fiona and Robbie

Arts, LGBTI Community, News & Politics, Society & Culture

Co-founder of the Australian Sex Party – Fiona Patten MLC

Since being elected to Victoria’s Upper House in November 2014, The Australian Sex Party’s Fiona Patten MLC has undergone a huge learning curve – and she’s loving it!

ASP Co-Founders Robbie Swan and Fiona Patten MLC

Its more than 5 years since Fiona Patten and Robbie Swan, her partner in business, life and politics, founded the Australian Sex Party.  Initially written off as a fringe lobby group from the Adult Industry, the party has grown dramatically, now boasting over 6000 members despite being deregistered recently by the Australian Electoral Commission.  An issue that they assure us, will soon be rectified.

In this rare interview together, Fiona and Robbie review the acceptance, understanding and impact the party has had whilst gaining mainstream respectability for its libertarian policies, practical humanity and genuine desire to see the major parties embrace equality.

On the day when Victoria’s Legislative Council repealed Section 19A of the crimes act, Fiona was sitting in the President’s Chair.  For someone who has been at the forefront of Australia’s response to HIV and sex workers since the early 1990’s, seeing this stigmatising HIV-specific law repealed was a cherished moment.

Fiona PAtten MLC with Dean Beck – Photo: @BettySujecki

At the last Federal Election, Robbie Swan missed out on being elected to represent Tasmania in the Senate by 250 votes.  Since then the party continues to attract a growing number of potential candidates with quality credentials, all primed to ensure a win next time around.

Whilst Fiona moved to Melbourne a couple of years ago, Robbie’s heart and home remains in the country’s porn capital, Canberra.  Their decades of working closely with the adult industry nationally have amassed a vast collection of documentary evidence detailing Australia’s relationship to pornography, classification and censorship, politics, power and profits.   Some of this extraordinary archive is currently on show alongside prized adult paraphernalia, artwork, instruments and titillating titbits at the Canberra Museum and Gallery.

X-Rated: the sex industry in the ACT is on display until September 20 – visitors must be over 18 years of age to view the exhibition.  Check out the exhibition brochure – it makes very interesting reading!!!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:52 — 51.1MB)

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