Family First 'approach Sex Party for preference'

The leader of The Australian Sex Party has said the conservative Family First party approached her about a preference deal for the upcoming election.

News Limited reports the Australian Sex Party, which advocates gay marriage, prostitution and abortion, has claimed an adviser to Family First leader Steve Fielding phoned Sex Party head Fiona Patten and proposed the deal.

Ms Patten said her party was not interested in dealing with Family First, which she said represented the worst aspects of conservative Australia.

Family First policies are counter to those of the Australian Sex Party, opposing gay marriage, abortion, prostitution and pornography, and supports the government's controversial anti-filtering policy.

"I don't believe we have a single common place to go to on anything," said Ms Patten.

"It was really just them trying to grasp at what they thought was possibly a strong vote for us and hypocritically get in on our coat-tails. Frankly we just couldn't go there."

A spokesman for Family First said there have been no deal on preferences.

"We talked to all of the parties, from the Greens through to the Liberals, about the election, that's just part of preparing for an election."

Senator Nick Xenophon said the two parties were "strange bedfellows".

"I think Family First will have a bit of explaining to do to their constituents about this one," he said.

"This preference deal is not something that genuine Family First supporters should take lying down."

Mr Xenophon is yet to endorse a party.