Animal Justice Party - Score 'Excellent'

Note: The page below has been archived and will no longer be updated. In the months leading up to Victoria’s state election on 26 November 2022, this page was updated and maintained to guide voters on the issue of sex workers’ rights.

On 26 November 2022, Victorians will vote in a state election. The Animal Justice Party is registered as a political party to contest this election.

We give the Animal Justice Party an ‘Excellent’ rating when it comes to sex workers’ rights. Why?

The party has a single sitting member, Andy Meddick, in the Upper House.

The Positives

In this term of parliament (2018 – 2022) Andy Meddick:

  • voted YES to decriminalise sex work, speaking passionately in favour of sex workers’ rights in parliament1
  • voted YES to successfully introduce new laws which classify the non- payment of sex work service fees as sexual assault or rape2
  • appeared on Australia’s only sex work radio show, Behind Closed Doors 3
Caption: Andy Meddick represents the Animal Justice Party

Authorised by Sex Work Law Reform Victoria Inc., 79-81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, 3182

1. For Andy Meddick’s voting record on sex work decriminalisation, see page 267 of Hansard in the Legislative Council of the Victorian Parliament on 10 February 2022.

His pro-sex worker speech can be found on pages 196-199.

2. On 30 August 2022, Andy Meddick voted YES to help pass the Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Bill 2022 (Vic). Clause 5 of the bill redefines sexual consent so that the non-payment of sexual service fees will be classified as rape or sexual assault. To see Andy Meddick’s voting record on this bill, see page 3139 of Hansard for 30 August 2022 in the Legislative Council.

3. Behind Closed Doors radio show airs on Melbourne community radio station 3CR. Andy Meddick appeared on an episode:

MP Andy Meddick – Animal Justice Party Views on Sex work (23 January 2020)

Disclaimer

This webpage is provided as a guide to help inform voters about how political parties and candidates have performed when it comes to sex workers’ rights. 

Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is not affiliated with any political party, candidate, councillor or local government. Sex Work Law Reform Victoria Inc. does not endorse or campaign for any political party or candidate. We believe all political parties can potentially work towards enhancing sex workers’ rights and we encourage all political parties to take an ongoing interest in sex workers’ rights. We have never donated to a political party, candidate, councillor or local government. We have never received money from any political parties, candidates, councillors or local governments. We have never applied for or received grants from the Victorian Government or any local government. We are a registered not-for-profit organisation.

We are not a registered charity.

We understand sex workers have a wide range of views about politics and we respect diversity of views.

© Sex Work Law Reform Victoria 2022

Last updated: 18 December 2022