Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party - Score 'Good'

Note: The page below has been archived and will no longer be updated.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 Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Victoria is registered as a political party to contest this election.

We give the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Victoria a ‘Good’ rating when it comes to sex workers’ rights. Why?

The Positives

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Victoria has a single sitting member, Jeff Bourman in the Upper House. In this term of parliament (2018 – 2022) Mr Bourman:

    • voted YES to decriminalise sex work1
    • voted YES to successfully introduce new laws which classify the non- payment of sex work service fees as sexual assault or rape2

The Negatives

  • Mr Bourman’s party has no policy relating to sex work3
  • In parliament, Mr Bourman expressed concern that street-based sex workers would disrupt children, schools and religious places of worship4
The Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Party
Jeff Bourman represents the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Victoria

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

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

2. On 30 August 2022, Mr Bourman 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 Mr Bourman’s voting record on this bill, see page 3139 of Hansard for 30 August 2022 in the Legislative Council.

3. See Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Victoria policies

4. See Hansard of the Legislative Council of the Victorian Parliament on 10 February 2022

Mr Bourman’s reference to street ‘prostitutes’, schools and children (pages 241-242), concern about religious places of worship being affected by street-based sex workers (page 242).

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