You can view our question list for all candidates here.
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#1 on the ticket for the Australian Sex Party in South Australia, Ari Reid, responded :
> What are your thoughts on asylum seekers?
As a new party we have no established policy about asylum seekers. We
would form our position to this and other policies based on evidence and
from a human rights perspective. My personal thoughts are that Australia
must end offshore processing and honour our international commitments to
refugees.
> > What are your thoughts on public transport?
As a new party we have no established policy. But i just spent the last 6
months relying on public transport from my home in Semaphore to my work in
Norwood. Personally id like to see public transport routes and frequency
increased and the cost reduced in order to make it a more practical option
for people.
> >
> > What are your thoughts on renewable energy?
As a new party we do not have an established policy on renewable energy.
Again our contribution to these debates would be based on evidence and
expert advice.
> >
> > Do you support or oppose the introduction of the R18+ rating
> > classification for video games?
We support and advocate strongly for the introduction of R18+
classification for video games.
Our strong opposition to all forms of censorship for adults is one our key
platforms
> >
> > Do you support or oppose the proposed internet filter?
We strongly oppose the internet filter. We believe parents and individuals
should be responsable for their own censorship. We believe any mandated
ISP filter, and more worringly, the retention of Australian internet users
browsing history leaves too much room for abuse of power.
> >
> > Do you support or oppose gay marriage?
> > Strongly support. Our position on freedom of sexuality and an end to all
forms of discrimination is another of our key policy and ideological
platforms. Myself and Jason Virgo, the other ASP candidate are both
openly gay. Jason has been involved in coordinating the ‘equal love’
campaign here in SA for the last few years.
> > What are your thoughts on abortion?
We would like to enact national ‘no fault’ termination laws. Allowing for
legal, guilt free medical termination.
> >
> > Do you support or oppose the legalisation of volutary euthanasia?
Yes we strongly support voluntary euthanasia
> >
> > What are your thoughts on stem cells research?
We support stem cells research.
> >
> > What are your thoughts on education?
We want to see a national sex education scheme as the first step in
preventing the sexualisation of children.
We want religion out of public schools and ethics classes in.
> >
> > What are your thoughts on campaign finance disclosure?
We have no stated policy on this area, but we support an open and
accountable political system.
> >
> > What are your thoughts on climate change?
As a new party we have no stated policy about climate change. We will form
our policy based on expertese and evidence. Just so there is no confusion,
I, personally, believe in climate change, obviously.
> >
> > What are your thoughts on water?
We have no stated policy on water.
> >
> > Do you support or oppose standing order 50?
We are standing on the platform of getting religion out of politics. We
oppose prayers in parliament and believe that an oath of ethics and
representation would be more appropriate.
> >
> > Are there any local issues you are trying to highlight with your campaign?
> > I personally have spent 7 years lobbying for law reform for South
Australian sex workers, who are still criminalised in this state. This
is a state based issue, however the Australian Sex Party would like to
enact national anti discrimination legislation regardless of sexuality
and occupation or employment. This would greatly assist sex workers to
lobby for fair and equitable treatment under the law, and insist on safe
and suitable workplaces.
Our main aim is to get religion out of politics and politics out of our
bedrooms and computers.
> > Though group voting tickets have not been submitted yet, do you have an
> > idea on where your preferences will be going?
Our first preferences are going to the Secular party, followed by other
smaller parties, then Australian Democrats, Greens, Labor, Liberal (in
that order) few other small parties, then One Nation, Christian
Democrats and Family First last(in that order).
Ari,
It’s fantastic to see parties emerging that, for the first time, actually represent my own views. I don’t think I am alone in this sentiment, and I have a feeling that the Sex Party will be getting some quite respectable numbers on Aug 21.
With that said, can you think of any particular reasons why I should preference The Sex Party above The Secular Party? As far as I can tell, your policies are identical on every issue.
Cheers, and thanks for taking the time to reply to the questionnaire.
The biggest difference that I’ve noted is that ASP are a-religious (to each their own), while The Secular Party are vehemently anti-religious.
i speculate that ASP are lightly more for freedom of information, and seculars are more strongly opposed to religion interfering where it shouldn’t… hope this helps george. (you may want yo confirm for yourself)
I disagree. The Secular Party and The Sex Party are both of the philosophy: “keep religion out of the public sphere, but past that, to each their own.”
More to the point, I’m interested in how such a difference might be reflected in policies.
I base my assessment of them being anti-religious partly on the fact that they have a Richard Dawkins link on their homepage. Considering the guy’s an evangelical atheist (so to speak), that leans more toward anti-religious than a-religious.
Thanks for weighing in. I’m interested in what Ari might have to say on the matter.
I’ll point her this way.
Hi George and others,
It’s true that the Sex party do agree on most issues as the Secular party and that’s why we are giving them our first preference.
There are two clear areas where I think we differ. We see ourselves primarily as a civil liberties party. We are mostly concerned in areas that affect our freedom to information, our freedom over our own bodies, equality regardless of our sexualities, our rights to express ourselves and enjoy our bodies as we wish. Freedom from and of religion comes from this perspective. We are not shy of sex or adult discussions, we have a particular interest in abolishing restrictions on adults regarding our sex and sexuality, the sexual rights of people with disabilities, GLTBIQ marriage rights, sex industry business and workers rights. These are not necessarily the focus of the secular party.
We also have a policy calling for a royal commission into the abuse of children in religious institutions, although I’m sure the Secular party would support us on that one!
The other main area of difference is that the Sex party was born from small business and so have an economic background, whereas the secular party arose from a discussion group.
Thanks for the question. Someone just pointed out to me that if we ever amalgamated and became the Australian Sex and Secular party our acronym would be ASS party! Haha!
Ari Reid
SA Senate Candidate for Australian Sex Party
@ George
“It’s fantastic to see parties emerging that, for the first time, actually represent my own views.”
exactly the reasons why I joined this party.