Political Parties

Note: The page below has been archived and will no longer be updated. During Victoria’s 2018 – 2022 parliament, this page was updated and maintained. A bill to decriminalise sex work passed the parliament in early 2022, rendering much of the content on this webpage redundant.

Where do Victorian Political Parties Stand?

In the Victorian parliament, the following political parties take these respective stances on sex work law:

Labor Party (The Government)

According to the The Australian Labor Party’s Victorian Branch Platform 2018 Clause 5.2.2:

‘Victorian Labor is committed to strengthening human rights and equal opportunity for all Victorians. Labor will recommend that the Victorian Law Reform Commission consider decriminalisation of all sex work in Victoria as per other systems recognised internationally by human rights organisations.’¹

On 12 October 2021, Labor tabled the Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill 2021 (Vic), which seeks to mostly decriminalise sex work.

Liberal Party (The Opposition)

The Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division) does not hold a formal position on sex work. Despite the Nordic Model of sex work laws being unanimously opposed by all sex workers’ rights organisations in Australia, in 2018 the Liberal Party’s Victorian State Council passed a resolution to adopt the Nordic Model. Resolutions are NOT binding on the parliamentary party.

On 2 July 2021, The Age newspaper reported on the Victorian Liberal Party’s position on an anticipated sex work decriminalisation bill:

‘The state opposition refused to state its position on decriminalising the industry, but in a statement a spokesman said: ‘‘We would have to see the proposed bill before the made comment or decided on a position.” ’

In relation to the Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill 2021 (Vic), on 27 October, 2021, the Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Roma Britnell said the Liberal National Coalition would oppose the bill unless her suggested amendments were adopted.¹ The Shadow Minister’s amendments were not adopted², and of those Liberals MP’s who voted in the Lower House, all voted against the bill.³

Victorian Greens

The Victorian Greens support the full decriminalisation of sex work. Their policy states

‘Consensual adult sex work should be decriminalised.’

On 27 October 2021, during a speech to parliament, Greens member Dr Tim Read said that the ‘Greens will support the Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill 2021.’⁴

Reason Party (formerly the Australian Sex Party)

Support the full decriminalisation of sex work. Their policy states

‘ensuring the legislation to decriminalise sex work is introduced in accordance with the recommendations made in the legislative review’

Liberal Democrats

Support the full decriminalisation of sex work. Their policy states

‘No criminalisation of sex-work involving adults.’

David Limbrick expressed his views on sex work regulation while being interviewed on Australia’s only sex work radio show ‘Behind Closed Doors’. Hear two sex workers interview Mr Limbrick on the ‘Behind Closed Doors’ podcast page.

Animal Justice Party

The party currently has no specific policy pertaining to sex work.

However, on 13 August 2021, The Age reported that Animal Justice Party leader Andy Meddick had provided in principle support for a Victorian Government proposal to decriminalise sex work over two years.

In 2019 Andy Meddick expressed his views on sex work regulation while being interviewed on Australia’s only sex work radio show ‘Behind Closed Doors’. Hear two sex workers interview Mr Meddick on the ‘Behind Closed Doors’ podcast page.