Reason Party leader Fiona Patten concedes defeat

Ousted Victorian politician Fiona Patten has revealed she wouldn’t rule out taking a job with Daniel Andrews if offered in the future.

Ousted Victorian politician Fiona Patten has revealed she wouldn’t rule out taking a job with Daniel Andrews if offered in the future.

The Reason Party leader on Monday conceded defeat in her quest to be re-elected for a third term in Victoria’s parliament.

While the Victorian Electoral Commission won’t officially declare the final makeup of the upper house until Tuesday, Ms Patten said it was almost impossible for her to beat former Labor minister Adem Somyurek for the fifth seat in the Northern Metropolitan region.

Mr Somyurek, who quit Labor after he was sacked by the Premier following explosive branch stacking allegations, teamed up with the conservative Democratic Labour Party, led by former Liberal MP Bernie Finn.

Ms Patten told the Herald Sun on Monday said she had come to terms with her defeat. “It’s been such a slow count so it’s given me the opportunity to watch my chances diminish on a day-by-day basis,” she said.

Fiona Patten conceded defeat in her quest to be re-elected for a third term in Victoria’s parliament. Picture: David Crosling

“I always knew this was going to be a difficult one … there were a lot of people who really didn’t want to see me in for a third term. There’s no doubt it’s disappointing and kind of gut-wrenching, but that’s the system … I didn’t get enough votes.”

A former sex worker, Ms Patten was instrumental in establishing exclusion zones around abortion clinics, made improvements to women’s health and played a key role in pushing the government to legislate assisted dying.

Ms Patten rallied to build the state’s first drug injecting room in North Richmond and led debate on drug law reform. “My role has been to speak for some of the more marginalised in our community. I saw it as my job to work on the hard issues, whether … sex work or being a voice for people who use drugs. These are members of our community that struggle to get equal treatment.”

Former Labor minister Adem Somyurek is expected to win a seat. Picture: Tony Gough

Ms Patten admitted she worried some “unfinished business” wouldn’t get done without her advocacy in the chamber. “While I’m stealing my mentor’s (Australian Democrats inaugural leader Don Chipp) words here, you do need someone in there to keep the bastards honest,” she laughed.

That’s why she is open to accepting a job with the Andrews government in some capacity. At the 2018 election, when she looked to have lost her seat, the Premier said there were many roles within his government that could suit her.

“I’d certainly be open to everything, I’m not saying no to anything. I rarely say no,” Ms Patten said on Monday.

But she said a tilt at the 2026 election was unlikely, and also ruled out a stint in federal politics.

As for the immediate future, Ms Patten, recovering from a cancer scare, is looking forward to a short break.

“Sadly, chemo has been keeping me company this campaign,” she said.