Australian Humanist of the Year 2020

Fiona Patten MLC

MEDIA RELEASE: 15 July 2020

Humanists Australia is proud to announce that Fiona Heather Patten, MLC, is the latest recipient of its national award. Beginning in 1983 with Lionel Murphy, Humanists have applauded people, every year, who are role models of humanism in action and do great things for the public good. This year we recognize the energetic work of Fiona Patten in the Victorian parliament, where she has driven a number of important reforms by appealing to reasoned evidence and using pragmatic consultation to overcome long-standing prejudice.

Her outstanding achievements in leading debate and securing legislation on many issues of concern to Humanists, particularly end of life, abortion safety, sexual health and drugs of addiction, are well known.

Fiona Patten is a highly effective member of the Victorian Parliament. She was elected in 2014 as a Member of the Victorian Legislative Council for the Northern Metropolitan region and is one of a number of crossbenchers who hold the balance of power in Victoria’s upper House. 

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Fiona is Leader of the Reason Party, described as a future-focused, evidence-based movement committed to delivering equality, sustainability and freedom through new methods of political engagement and pragmatic consultation. 

As an active MP Fiona has been successful in raising the following issues, which have resulted in either a parliamentary enquiry or legislative action. 

  • Safe Exclusion Zones around abortion clinics 

  • Australia’s largest public inquiry into drug law reform 

  • The establishment of online e-petitions to Parliament 

  • Transforming the transport industry through Ridesharing Legislation 

  • A trial for Victoria’s first medically supervised injecting centre 

  • Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation 

  • Spent Convictions Scheme

Since her re-election in 2018, Ms Patten continued her work in a number of key areas. She is currently the only Independent Member to Chair a Parliamentary Committee. As Chair of the Legals and Social Issues Committee Fiona is currently overseeing the Victorian  Inquiry into Homelessness and is preparing to lead the Victorian Cannabis Use Inquiry. The Reason Party has also been instrumental in the push to remove the Lord's Prayer from Parliament, has put forward a private members Bill to abolish the law of Blasphemy and is preparing to launch a major piece of legislation that will remove tax exemptions for religious organisations. Following  lobbying from Fiona, a second Safe Injecting Room will open in Melbourne - a project Ms Patten helped establish - a program that saves scores of lives every year.  

“Humanists believe that public policy should be guided by reason, evidence, science and compassion. Fiona epitomises Humanist values and has worked tirelessly to make these important legislative changes. We hope that Fiona’s example inspires and encourages politicians at all levels of government” said President of the Council of Australian Humanist Societies, Mary-Anne Cosgrove.