The Australian Sex Party has met its end, after the founder deregistered the party to form a new political movement - based on 'reason.'
Fiona Patten founded the Sex Party in 2009 and is set to launch the Reason Party this week, in an effort to reach a wider base ahead of state and federal elections.
The Melbourne Age reported Ms Patten intends to be the "voice of reason" in politics today.
"People are sick of irrational politics. Many are deeply concerned about the future of our country", she said.
"The major parties are debilitated by factionalism, corruption and political deadlock. Now it's extremists who hold the balance of power."
The Sex Party originally had links to the Eros Foundation, which represents businesses in the adult film industry. But Ms Patten said the foundation played no official role in the new party.
The Reason Party would continue to advocate for key Sex Party polices, she said, including legalisation of illicit drugs and euthanasia laws.
She said the party would put personal freedom and respect for human rights at the centre of its political philosophy.
Drawing inspiration from the recent French election between Emmanuel Macron and populist opponent Marine Le Pen, she said Macron "was kind of radical because he was so sensible".
"Macron really identified with that disaffected voter. Sadly our young voters are the most disaffected voters of all - they don't know a time when they were interested."
Ms Patten has been regarded as an effective member of Victoria's upper house since her election in 2014.
She successfully lobbied to introduce buffer zones against protesters around abortion clinics and fought to legalise ridesharing services, including UberX. She also campaigned to introduce euthanasia laws in the state.
The party wants to "redress the inequality" of wealth, where the majority of wealth is centralised amongst a small number of people. The party stated its commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women and regional Australians.
Newshub.
