VICTORIAN Sex Party MP Fiona Patten wants protest exclusion zones around abortion centres after a rival Upper House MP was seen at a rally outside a Melbourne clinic.

In the first clash between Victorian micro parties in what is expected to be a heated Legislative Council, Ms Patten said Democratic Labor Party MP Rachel Carling-Jenkins had been spotted outside the Fertility Control Clinic in East Melbourne on Saturday.

Ms Patten said the incident showed why the State Government should introduce a 100m buffer zone around centres to protect patients and staff.

“Abortion is legal in Victoria, yet each and every day women, as well as their partners, friends and family, are being harassed and intimidated by anti-abortion activists,’’ she said.

“Rachel Carling-Jenkins, spent part of her weekend trying to take away a woman’s right to choose by standing outside a Melbourne Fertility Control Clinic. So now, not only do individuals face harassment from so-called protesters, they also face a sitting member of Parliament.’’

Ms Carling-Jenkins denied protesting at the clinic but ­admitted she had visited people rallying outside on Saturday.

She said the move would restrict freedom of speech in Victoria. “I think limiting people’s right to protest anywhere is limiting freedoms,’’ she said.

“Are we going to have ­exclusion zones around political offices?’’

She indicated she was preparing her own wish list, which she would announce at a later date.

Ms Patten said she would approach the Government this month. Parliament resumes on February 10.

The clash between two minor parties highlights the delicate negotiating strategy the Andrews Government will need to employ to get support for controversial legislation.

Minor parties claim almost a third of seats in the Upper House and have policy platforms ranging from voluntary euthanasia, giving doctors the right to refuse to refer women for abortions, and phasing out coal-fired power stations.

The Labor Government holds 14 seats in the Legislative Council, meaning it must secure seven extra votes from the minor parties to pass legislation in the 40-seat chamber, if it is opposed by the Coalition.

alex.white@news.com.au