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Now here are our demands.




Cap't Save-A-Ho = Fiona Patten:


Australia Sex Industry Forming a "Sex Party" to Counteract Religious Groups


AUSTRALIA'S sex industry is launching a new political party to counter the increasing influence of religious groups in politics and government.

The Australian Sex Party hopes to be up and running by Friday, having secured 500 signatures and registration with the Australian Electoral Commission.

Party spokeswoman and head of the Eros Association, Fiona Patten, said the party planned to campaign on issues such as censorship, the Federal Government's promised internet filter, health benefits for sex workers, gay marriage and paid maternity leave.

Ms Patten said the party hoped to win seats in state upper houses and the Senate using the slogan "We're serious about sex".

"We're hoping for at least one Senate seat in the next federal election," she said.

"We are concerned about Steve Fielding's power in the Senate - his conservative morals-based position in the Senate threatens the existence of our industry.

"An internet filter will put our legal business out of business. We don't think it is the right way to address child pornography."

Ms Patten said the nationwide party would initially be formed by members of the sex industry and funding would come from industry groups and businesses.

The nation's sex shops would become party branches, she said.

"But we're hoping to eventually become much broader and attract all sorts of people with an interest in law reform, freedom and civil liberties," Ms Patten said.

There are all sorts of issues that affect the lives of people in our industry.

"We're concerned that religious groups are having an increasing influence on the national debate and there is a encroaching sense censorship and rising wowserism.

"And who knows what deals Steve Fielding has done in the Senate? Basically, should what happens in your bedroom be decided by minority religious lobby groups?

"Plenty of Aussie voters want to be treated like adults and a new political force will launched this week with our party."

The party has prepared an advertisment that will initially go on 50,000 DVDs to be given out at the Sexpo convention in Melbourne this week.

A longer version will go on all X-rated DVDs sold in Australia.

On the advert, Ms Patten says that Australia now has more censorship of adult entertainment than two decades ago and adds: "If you've had enough of wowserism and political interference in your bedroom, help us make a change and join the Australian Sex Party."


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