Let's talk about sex

As a new political force, the Australian Sex Party has obviously aroused some controversy, with even its choice of name enough to get social conservatives screaming “won’t someone please think of the children!”. But behind any seductive fascade, the Australian Sex Party, and its leader Fiona Patten, actually offer something truly remarkable to voters — a liberal choice. Sure, they are hardly alone in occupying this territory (Australia has a Liberal Democratic Party, for instance, which certainly has a substantially more developed economic policy platform). However, Patten’s mob have actually been able to grab headlines, and according to Business Spectator’s Rob Burgess, might play a deciding role in two lower house electorates: Melbourne (being vacated by the retiring finance minister, Lindsay Tanner) and Bennelong (better known as John Howard’s old seat, now held by former ABC journalist Maxine McKew).

Curiously, what may be intended as a protest vote against the Gillard government could help secure Labor victory in those seats, depending on how people order their preferences. This would have a devastating effect for the Greens, who may be denied the chance to claim the seat of Melbourne — a prize they have been eyeing for some time. Getting screwed by the Australian Sex Party is probably not something Bob Brown and his colleagues would be hoping for.