In support of Fiona Patten MP’s long-term efforts to decriminalise prostitution, the Andrews Government passed the Sex Work Decriminalisation Act 2022 in the Upper House by 24 votes to 10 last week. 

In an historic vote on Saturday 6 November 2021, the South Australian Liberal Women’s Council voted to support the Nordic or Equality Model of Prostitution Law Reform and to call on Liberal Government to implement it.

There is good news to report about the submissions that you provided to the Select Committee on the Statures Amendment (Repeal of Sex Work Offences) Bill 2020.

Following a recommendation from Fiona Patten – former Sex Party, now Reason Party MP – the Andrews Government has announced they will move to decriminalise sex work.

Australian states have a ready-made solution on prostitution policy as the world’s best practice continues to roll out, with Israel joining the reform ranks in a fortnight’s time.

A staggering 84% of Territorians objecting to brothels in their neighbourhoods or rural areas wasn’t enough for the Gunner government to reject a two-person brothel system. Disregarding significant community concern, the NT Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics has approved the two-person brothel model via a Planning Scheme Amendment to the Sex Industry Act, despite opposition from 101 out of 120 submitters to the Planning Commission.

The decriminalisation of prostitution supports pimps and oppressive men and harms women. Despite the House of Assembly rejecting the decriminalisation of prostitution only 7 months ago, Greens MLC Tammy Franks has reintroduced a nearly identical version of her previous prostitution decriminalisation bill that was convincingly defeated in the Lower House.

The Australian Christian Lobby has been warning that brothels do not protect vulnerable women and children. The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard evidence on Friday of a 16 year old child allegedly prostituted in Heidelberg for $100, highlighting the depraved depths some brothels will go.

On Wednesday, 10 June 2020, ACL participated in the Victorian Government’s 'Review into the Decriminalisation of Sex Work'. This review of prostitution covered commercial brothels and escort agencies, massage parlours and similar businesses, in small owner-operated businesses, and on the streets.

The Australian Christian Lobby welcomes the assurance of Victoria’s ‘sex work’ review committee that all aspects of decriminalisation and alternative views will be considered, notwithstanding the chair Fiona Patten MLC’s advocacy for decriminalising prostitution.