The Australian Sex Party (ASXP) might be the country's most offbeat minor party, but after releasing a political music video titled '#VaticanCan', now they're our most musical, too.
The video presents a musical theatre-styled satirical song which throws shade at religious institutions, particularly the Catholic Church, for meddling in government policy decisions.
"Most Australians probably think there's a clear separation of church and state like in the US, but there's not. That separation is not recognised in our constitution. I think people would be surprised to know that." Fiona Patten, leader of the Australian Sex Party, told The Feed.
The Catholic Church in Australia (the largest religious institute in the country) is controlled and directed by the Vatican.
The sassy video also features a bloodied Jesus Christ on a crucifix bobbing his head from side to side to the tune.
"Certainly that has a reflection of 'Life of Brian'. The whole thing was very Monty Python-esque!" said Ms Patten, who was consulted with the those visuals before the video was published. She said found them humourous.
(Australian Sex Party) Source: Australian Sex Party
"For artistic purposes of the film, we stuck to the Catholic Church, but we would apply many of our stances, including paying their fair share of tax, to all religious organisations."
There were other reasons for targeting the Vatican specifically, said Ms Patten, both creative and political.
"Firstly, it rhymed very nicely with the song," she said. "And secondly, when we look at Australian politics, and the influence of the Catholic Church, it's extraordinary."
Apart from taking advantage of tax havens and posing a barrier to marriage equality, Ms Patten said the Catholic Church's influence is more tacit and deep-seeded.
(Australian Sex Party) Source: Australian Sex Party
"George Pell was a confidant of Tony Abbott," she said. She also alleged that The Vatican helped cover his role in the institutional abuse of children.
Surprisingly, there has been little backlash against the video from the Catholic community, many of whom the ASXP is aware support marriage equality, reopening the euthanasia debate, and tax reform for religious institutions.
"Catholics and atheists alike are having a bit of a laugh at it. That's the beauty of Australians; we can laugh at ourselves."
(Australian Sex Party) Source: Australian Sex Party
However the 'VaticanCan' seems to feature a heavily British cast. Ms Patten chalked it up to the producer's friends.
"It turns out the producer just happened to have a collection of British friends," she laughed. "You the first person to pick that up!"
Jeremy Irvine, the producer and creator of the video, has worked closely with ASXP in the past, making satirical tongue-in-cheek shorts.
"He'd done 'JerkChoices' and funny silly election campaign videos in the past and this was his latest idea. We just let him go for it. Though we do have a final say at the end, we give Jeremy all the creative power," Ms Patten said.
This coming election, Ms Patten and the ASXP intend to push for many of the issues spotlighted in the video. They are especially hopeful of winning a senate seat in Victoria.
But at present, Ms Patton is rather proud of how the party is approaching election campaigning in general - they're brave enough to make it funny.
"We're the only political party that puts humour in their campaigns," she said. "More really should."
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