In August, the South Australian Parliament will be voting on whether to refer the matter of decriminalising prostitution to the South Australian Law Reform Institute (SALRI).
Although officially non-partisan, SALRI has previously been associated with some of the state’s most radical social reforms—including the legalisation of abortion to birth.
Given this history, it is highly likely that if Parliament makes a referral, SALRI will recommend the full decriminalisation of prostitution. This would add significant pressure for South Australia to follow in the footsteps of Victoria, where pimping is legal and brothels operate as largely unregulated businesses.
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What’s happening now:
Hon Tammy Franks MLC is pushing for this referral immediately following the introduction — and sudden withdrawal — of her latest prostitution bill. The Bill was presented as “a compromise that has been negotiated with those in the Labor Party.” 1
It is likely that one reason for its withdrawal was the anticipation that a SALRI report (and recommendation for decriminalisation) would be necessary to secure enough votes.
Why this matters:
We must stop this renewed push for the normalisation of brothels, pimping, and the commercial sexual exploitation of women.
In 2019, when SALRI recommended removing all gestational limits on abortion, many MPs accepted the advice without question and voted for abortion up to birth.
We cannot afford to see the same pattern repeated with prostitution.
Stopping this referral is crucial. It gives South Australia a fighting chance at more balanced, protective reform—reform that aims to reduce, not expand, the exploitation of women.
