Liberal Democrats - 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Note: The page below has been archived and will no longer be updated.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 Liberal Democratic Party is registered as a political party to contest this election. We give the Liberal Democratic Party an ‘Excellent’ rating when it comes to sex workers’ rights. Why?

The Liberal Democrats have two sitting members, both in the Upper House. Tim Quilty MP and David Limbrick MP identify as libertarians – people who value the autonomy and rights of individuals, including the individual rights of sex workers.

The Positives

In this term of parliament (2018 – 2022), the Liberal Democrats have:

  • repeatedly raised sex workers’ rights in parliament, raising the issue of de-banking1
  • been interviewed twice by sex workers on Australia’s only sex work radio show2
  • read in a motion to decriminalise sex work, which put pressure on the government to act3
  • questioned the Chief Health Officer during a coronavirus pandemic inquiry about sex workers’ rights during lockdowns4
  • voted YES to decriminalise sex work and spoke in favour of sex workers’ rights in parliament5
  • voted YES to successfully introduce new laws which classify the non-payment of sex work service fees as sexual assault or rape6
Liberal Democrats
David Limbrick is with the Liberal Democrats

In the video above, David Limbrick calls out the National Australia Bank’s ban on sex industry businesses

In this video, David Limbrick questions Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton on coronavirus lockdowns and sex work.

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

1. David Limbrick speech in the Legislative Council, 10 September 2019

2. David Limbrick’s interview on Behind Closed Doors on 18 October 2019 (podcast link no longer available)

3. See David Limbrick’s press release 26 November 2019

4. See page 16 of the transcript of the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee ‘Inquiry into the Victorian Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic’ on 12 May 2020

5. David Limbrick’s speech, see pages 203-204 of the Legislative Council Hansard from 10 February 2022

Tim Quilty’s speech, see pages 233-234 of the Legislative Council Hansard from 10 February 2022

For David Limbrick and Tim Quilty’s voting record on sex work, see page 267 of Hansard of the Legislative Council of the Victorian Parliament on 10 February 2022

6. On 30 August 2022, both Liberal Democrats members 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 members voting record on this bill, see page 3139 of Hansard for 30 August 2022 in the Legislative Council.

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: 16 December 2022