I have been fighting against government censorship for nearly 20 years now, but it is the self censorship, mainly by the media, that is becoming more and more concerning.
Tabloid editors now consider themselves the moral arbitors of our society.
This week the Herald Sun refused to run this ad in their sport section and sister publication MX has also now refused to run it. The initial reason the Herald Sun editor gave was that “there have been too many rapes lately.” WTF??!!
And if that wasn't stupid enough he went on to offer to run the ad in the classifieds section. Obviously rapists don't read the classifieds.
The day they refused the ad the most read story was "sex, pies investigation widens". I think I can be pretty certain that if the Collingwood club wanted to run an ad there would be no questions.
After numerous phone calls the advertising manager came back to say that they were conscious of their readers sensibilities and could not run the ad because of it.
What are they talking about?
You would see far more flesh in a David Jones ad run on page three or a gossip story on the local WAGs.
As I see it they feel that because this woman’s occupation involves having sex then the mere image of her will offend Mrs Grundy’s sensitivities. This is outrageous discrimination but who are you going to protest to? The media?
* Thank you to all the people who voted for us. These are the people on the front line of social change in Australia who have clearly signalled that they want a very different style of politics in this country. Our voters are sick of slogans, sick of professional politicians and sick of a political system where two old adversaries try to gouge each other’s eyes out every few years.
* To all the 500 helpers we had out there on polling booths around the country …you’ve made the ultimate sacrifice. You’ve put sex and politics before football and an early drink! Helpers are the gene pool for next election’s candidates. We couldn’t match the sheer numbers of people that the three major parties had out on the booths so our helpers had to work a lot harder. You guys were the frontline troops in our ‘sex offensive’.
* To our 21 candidates around the country – a really big thank you. You guys were the ones who got out of the trenches and went over the top. That takes guts and a degree of stupidity!! When we first started looking for candidates in earnest about six weeks ago, we were really battling. We couldn’t get anyone to run in Tasmania and Robbie asked his 82 year old mum and his 26 year old daughter to run with him on Sex Party ‘Family Values’ ticket! We actually wanted to run at least 20 House of Reps candidates in marginal seats but just couldn’t excite people. Now we are batting them off! By the time candidate nominations were closing and the profile of the party was starting to lift, we had people applying all over the place but way too late. So you guys will go down in history as the first federal election candidates for the Sex Party.
* Then we come to the party’s hard core volunteers – the Tracy Lords and Ron Jeremy’s of the Sex Party. The champs of the well hung parliament to whom we owe much of our success to date. We don’t have official party positions like the others except when media insist on one and then we just pull one out of the hat. I think we’ll just let people choose an avatar name for themselves and that’s what they’ll be known as henceforth.
But I have to name a few and I’ll leave off some and I’m sorry for that but my brain is totally fried after the last few days.
So..in no particular order….
Don Chipp, the former leader of the Democrats, was the inspiration for forming this party. A year out from his passing he sat us down and gave us three points to run by. “Call it something they will never forget”, he said. “Stay true to your original aims”. “Always strive for the point of difference”. Don is still very much with us.
Our political advisor…. Curly Merkin as he is known in Canberra. Like the Phantom he can never be named but this very high profile political figure has pushed us to form a party ever since John Howard tried to ban X rated films in the mid 1990s. Curly you are legend….the ghost who walks (slowly).
To Angela, Dean, Ben, Douglas, Jack, Jason, Denis, Sam, William, and Rob B, your service has been immeasurable and you will each receive 72 virgins upon departing this life except Angela and Sam who will receive Virgin air flights to various Mediterranean destinations.
To Ilia, Bret, Craig, Graeme, Anne, Jeremy @Fnuky, and Neil @Suncoast, Bernard@Pegasus…coordination and creative excellence.
To Sarah and Rob who provided the backbone of the whole campaign here in Victoria we are deeply indebted to you for running the show in Melbourne and no amount of virgins could cover that. To Bec, our trusty manager of the Canberra office who gave her six week old puppy up to the kennels to coordinate the Canberra office and all other states. When you see how cute that puppy is you will realise what a sacrifice this was.
Lastly, to those Eros members who gave their support in so many ways…you know who you are… the Sex Party would not have flown without you. Sexual fantasy is something you guys deal in every day but this was a political fantasy that excited some more than others and to those true fetishists….grab your leather masks and riding crops because we’re up and running again!
Well..it's on again! No..not the federal election but the annual gathering of Pastor Danny Nulliah's Catch the Fire Ministries on Mt Ainslie (Canberra) to protest against the heathen and godless ones in federal parliament. (Tomorrow) Saturday morning 14th August, 10am till noon.
Pastor Danny will exorcise the federal parliament. The Sex Party will unveil their religion policy. The greatest chariot races since Ben Hur and the most fiery religious debates you'll ever see. Lesbian flag wavers go head to head with cross-wielding believers. White suited pastors up against the yellow shirted Sex Party candidates.
See Pastor Danny Nulliah debate the Sex Party's Robbie Swan overlooking the Parliamentary Triangle. Pastor Danny claims it is representative of the Holy Trinity. Robbie Swan says it represents a threesome. Who's right? Who's belief shall reign supreme?!! Be there or be...triangled!
Robbie Swan
•• Pastor Danny says "Let us VOTE for Godly leaders who will continue to protect our Judeo-Christian heritage so that our Sons & Daughters will enjoy the freedoms we value so much in our nation." The Catch The Fires prayer points include: • Pray for a Prime Minister to be elected who will Honour God. • Pray for many Christians to be elected into Parliament from all political parties. • Pray for un-godly leaders to be removed from Government. • Pray for Christian leaders to be bold in encouraging their congregation to vote for those with Christian Moral values. • Pray for the protection of our Judeo-Christian heritage. • Pray for righteousness to exalt the nation. • Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead people in whom to vote for.
Rest assured, The Sex Party's policy on religion does not include any of those points All Sex Party supporters who come along will receive a Sex Party t-shirt.
Image from the last exorcism on Mount Ainslie - Oct 09
One of our QLD Candidates, Tim Sheen, has been immortalized in poetry! We thought this was such a great piece we had to share it with everyone. Thanks so much Glen!
It was just another boring election day and then along came Tim (Sheen that is)
Stretching out, hitching the Jason recliner back another notch Taking care not to spill a single drop of my precious single malt scotch I bring it to my quivering lips in anticipation of the smoky flavoured peat All the time watching the idiot box, ABC news is the go, betwixt my feet
About to take a sip of the delicious nectar, I almost chokeStreuth who’s that bloke? Why, it’s me mate Timmy Sheen Come to vent his spleen He’s finally come clean For parliament he’s running, as a candidate for the Australian Sex Party Standing there all hale and hearty
Bugger me, I rub me pork pies and sit bolt upright Yeah that’s him its Tim Sheen alright Bloody hell he gets more irreverent every day And here’s me thinking it was just another boring bloody election gettin’ in the way
As I watch Tim all suited up in his Sunday best talking to the reporter my mind starts to wander…what kind of perks do you get as a member of the Australian Sex Party Free membership of the gentlemen’s club or maybe a press secretary that’s done up all tarty Geez I think to myself how can I get a candidacy for the Australian Sex Party?
Me mate Tim is well qualified Although to me he’s never lied But I swear, the last time he was in front of a camera the only thing he had on was his birthday suit Starring, as it were, with a young lass and having a good ole’ leather boot
Now I’ve heard, that me other mate, Kevin from the Family First Party has approached the Australian Sex Party for preferences Well I guess me mate Tim certainly has the right references After all how do you get a family in the first place? Unite the Australian Sex Party with the Family First Party of course, and watch them race
But what makes the mind truly boggle is if Tim, Julia and Kevin make it to Canberra will they share a toast? And celebrate Julia’s win with a good ole’ spit roast
Cheers Tim, life’s never dull with you around mate Glen
The Australian public has won a democratic victory over the political and media machine by forcing the leaders debate to be televised 1 hour earlier due to the popularity of the Masterchef final.
As Julia Gillard said without any sense of irony on the ABC 7.30 Report, 21 July:
“Australia is a great country you get to watch what you want on TV....’’
Fiona Patten commented:
“Your hypocrisy is duly noted Julia. Your party is the censorship party. Only the ASP has the ‘’recipe” for a straightforward classification system across film, TV and internet.”
I'm Seranna and I'm the N.T Senate Candidate for the Australian Sex party.
I have seen Fiona from afar for the past decade and thought- wow how amazing- there is a women who knows what she wants and can talk about it sooo easily. Last Thursday afternoon I had the opportunity to meet her in person.
I went to pick her up from the airport and enquired about the trip. She is the only person I've met who hugged me and replied, "YES! it was a GRREEEAAAT flight!" Fiona's energy, enthusiasm and bubbly personality was inspirational. I thought I was the only person with that much energy after a flight!
Thursday at 5pm we went to ABC radio and I did my first ever radio interview, as the senate candidate. I’ve done many interviews over the years about my published books, my films and the recent brothel and police registration debate, yet with only 3 weeks of research- of the Sex Party’s policies- I just about fell over when the announcer talking about removal of the porn ban in communities asked, "how do you motivate parents that don't care about their children? I thought Oh gosh, what have I got myself in for?
Friday we arrived at Browns Mart and at 11am. A few familiar faces arrived for the press conference- and as Fiona announced me as the N.T senate Candidate, my heart raced. Then the local media from the radio, TV and newspapers started pounding questions at me. They asked why I decided to become a politician, what the party’s policies on the mining tax were and why N.T voters should vote for me and furthermore why people that don't even have sex should vote for me.
The flashes of camera started and I was so nervous I couldn't fully smile. When we were finally finished I felt like I had been racked over the hot coals.
I'd been having nightmares all week about the press conference and was glad to finally have it over. We even went for a few drinks afterwards to calm my nerves.
On Saturday morning the Northern Territory news ran a story on page 3. I nervously read over the article which I was pretty satisfied with except for the photo. But everyone knows the camera puts on 10 pounds, right? I logged online and read the comments by readers, some people pointed out perceived faults of the campaign but the majority of comments were positive.
On Saturday afternoon we headed to Monsoons, a local pub, to do a promotional public meeting. I'd been plugging it all week, putting up posters and handing out flyers. Fiona and I enjoyed a pizza and to make sure I was on the ball I only drank water or Mother.
The questions started coming from not only the locals but also backpackers and foreigners. We handed out t-shirts and stickers to everyone and before I knew it we had a sea of people in Sex Party promotional gear.
Listening to Fiona answer people questions about the party and its policies I once again felt inspired by such a independent, strong woman, I soaked in every minute of it and found myself answering questions as well. It was a bit overwhelming to talk to people about the party when I still feel so new to it all but I believe I managed to pull it off. Maybe this Senator idea isn't so bad.
By 5:15pm things were in full swing and after a fake tattoo of the Sex
Party was put on someone’s bum everyone started to join in and before long we had photos being taken of bums with our logo on it. True Sex Party style.
At 6:15 we had a room full of people talking about how amazing the sex party was and our lucky door prize which consisted of an array of sex toys went to the manger of one of the adult shops.
June the 2nd marked international whores day, the birth of the sex worker rights movement. This year the ‘South Australian Sex Industry Network’ (SIN) and a newly formed lobby group ‘Sex Workers Gaining Empowerment, Rights and Recognition’ (SWAGGERR) joined with the Working Womens Centre of SA, Scarlet Alliance, and the AIDs Council of South Australia to call for the decriminalisation of sex work in South Australia.
A rally was held on the steps of parliament house with more than 50 sex workers and their supporters in attendance.
The Hon Gail Gago, the Minister of the status of women spoke at the rally in support of the cause and Hon Steph Key member for Ashford announced she was planning on drafting a bill for the decriminalisation of sex work.
“Sex workers and our workplaces are still criminalised in South Australia, and we are the only state in Australia to have had no law reform on this for more than 55 years. We commend Steph Key and other supportive politicians and look forward to working closely with them to ensure any new legislation is going to promote the health safety and wellbeing of South Australian sex workers. Its time for this discussion to be removed form moral hysteria and placed clearly within a workers safety and rights framework “ said Ari Reid, Manager of SIN.
There is currently a petition calling for the decriminalisation of sex workers in South Australia and interested people are encouraged to contact SIN to see how they can support this important human rights issue.
New Customs regulations that require all new arrivals into Australia to declare, along with firearms and drugs, whether they have any ‘pornography’ in their possession, now make that experience not a lot different from going through Customs in Iran.
‘Pornography’ is a term that western democratic governments should never use in their official language because it means nothing ….and then it means everything. The word is not used at all in the federal Classification Act, which is the ultimate reference for Customs on classifying and labelling media that comes into the country. So why did they think that this was a good term to use for their new CEO Instrument of Approval No. 9 of 2009?
They were trying to stop a perceived increase in the amount of child porn being introduced into the country so why wouldn’t they simply ask the question ‘Do you have any ‘child pornography’ or ‘objectional images’ or even ‘illegal porn’? But no. They asked a question which now gives Government officials an unfettered right to examine someone’s laptop or mobile phone as they re-enter the country, looking for legal material.
If you answer ‘No’ to the Customs question, thinking that of course you don’t have any of that disgusting stuff on your laptop or mobile but you do have a photo of you and your partner in the bath together at that mountain resort or the latest office funny that someone sent you, which showed a couple nuded up in a public toilet – well your done. You’ve lied under oath and are guilty of an offence that can carry serious penalties. “But its not illegal material!”, you say. While that’s perfectly true, you still lied.
In a statement to AM, Customs said that “including an express reference to pornography is intended to enhance the interception of prohibited material at the border. If travelers declare pornography and it is not illegal they will keep it. Illegal pornography will be confiscated and fines or charges may be laid.”
The problem with this is that over the past decade, the amount of legal material in the adult classification categories in Australia has been severely truncated and is now the most restricted in the western world. For example, non violent, fetishistic X rated film material that is quite legal in New Zealand, is illegal here. It’s not illegal to possess here but strangely, is illegal to bring into the country. Adult sexual material that is shown on late night TV in Spain is illegal to import into Australia. Again, its legal to possess here and to download but is prohibited material when you are crossing our borders. R rated computer games which are legal in most of the western world are illegal to bring in through Customs and many young people will come a cropper in this area under the new Customs regulation.
In sanctioning official searches of people for legal material, the Rudd government has stooped to an all time low in its relentless pursuit of sexually straight-jacketing Australian culture. The problem is that the Opposition, led by the mad monk Tony Abbott, is potentially worse. Tasmanian Liberal Senator Guy Barnett was the real architect of this stupid regulation. He applied extraordinary and undue pressure on Customs officials in a Senate Estimates hearing late last year and accused them in the most vitriolic way of opening the floodgates to child and ‘teeny’ porn in Australia. It was a performance that his old Taswegian colleague, Brian Harradine would have been proud of. Barnett is an old style, right wing, Baptist, conservative who has set his sites on ensuring that gay rights are repealed, that abortion is re criminalized and that sexual cultures are strongly repressed. He is a dangerous and driven ideologue who makes Harradine look like an amateur and heaven help Australia if he ever gets a Cabinet position in a future Abbott administration.
Australia is truly beginning to behave like a theocracy in its approach to sexual culture and the main problem is that both major political parties are trying to outdo each other. In NSW the problem is even worse where you have the David Clark ‘Opus Dei’ faction of the Liberal Party controlling pre selection and a Premier who is deeply religious in all aspects of her daily life. Couple that with a Police Commissioner who worships at Hillsong and its no surprise that last month we saw a young gay adult shop owner go to jail for the first time for selling federally classified X18+ films. That’s right. He was sent to prison for selling films that the Commonwealth had classified as suitable for all Australians. These films were even legal to bring through Customs as long as you answered ‘yes’ to the question!
How bad or offensive can a film be when approved by a panel of experts all hand-picked by former Prime Minister, John Howard? Should someone go to jail for selling non violent consenting erotica of this kind? Well, only in a state where all semblance of normality around sex is fast disappearing. The humourless NSW Attorney General, John Hatsistagos, tried to rationalize the jail sentence in a reply to Greens MLA, Lee Rhiannon last week. He said the jail sentences were there because NSW people wanted them. This was utter bullshit and thoroughly disproved by over a dozen professional opinion polls from Morgans and McNair et al, as well as two surveys carried out by the Commonwealth Classification Board and the Bureau of Statistics. These showed three quarters of respondents wanted to see X18+ films legally sold through adult shops.
So what can people do about overturning this silly Customs law? If you’re into the left-field approach then you could encourage everyone to say that they do have ‘porn’ on them and then drag out a bikini babe calendar from the bottom of your bag or flash a beefcake Manpower nude on your mobile phone. If everyone did this it would soon cause massive delays. But the real issue is not really with Customs. This increasing official demonization of Australian sexual culture originates in state and federal parliaments. Voting away from both major parties at the coming federal election would be a good start. While Abbott and Rudd may not understand the Nanny State message because they are in fact, the nannies, their party secretaries sure as hell will.
