Transport Matters Party Victoria - 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Note: The page below has been archived and will no longer be updated.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 Transport Matters Party is registered as a political party to contest this election.

We give the Transport Matters Party a ‘Good’ rating when it comes to sex workers’ rights. Why?

The Positives

The Transport Matters Party has a single sitting member, Rod Barton in the Upper House. In this term of parliament (2018 – 2022) Mr Barton:

  • 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 Barton’s party had no policy relating to sex work3
  • Mr Barton rarely spoke about sex workers’ or sex workers’ rights in parliament or the media.
The Transport Matters Party
Rod Barton represents the Transport Matters Party

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

  1. For Mr Barton’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 Barton voted YES 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 Barton’s voting record on this bill, see page 3139 of Hansard for 30 August 2022 in the Legislative Council.
  3. See Transport Matters Party policies

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. We encourage all voters to vote according to their own personal preferences and values.

Sex Work Law Reform Victoria Inc. does not endorse any political party or candidate. Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is not affiliated with any political party, candidate, councillor or local government. 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 this viewpoint diversity. We recognise the fact that no sex worker organisation in Victoria can claim to represent all sex workers.

© Sex Work Law Reform Victoria 2022

Last updated: 18 December 2022