Councillor warns a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of issues will be opened by legalising sex work in Adelaide CBD
Adelaide City Council won’t directly oppose decriminalisation of sex work — it will instead work with MPs and other councils about how it can manage issues like brothel approval.
- Fears ratepayers would foot the bill for sex work decriminalisation
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Adelaide City Council wants to “pave the way” to prevent a “Pandora’s box” of planning issues across the state should sex work be decriminalised.
The council decided at a meeting on Tuesday night to start discussions with MPs, the Local Government Association and other councils about the impact of proposed law reforms on communities, rather than oppose them entirely.
Its main concerns surround brothel approval and on-street solicitation in the CBD.
Initially, Cr Alexander Hyde had asked elected members to oppose the decriminalisation Bill, which was introduced to Parliament’s Lower House last month, however, Cr Arman Abrahimzadeh amended his proposal to instead start conversations.
“If we come together, then we can resolve any issues that might be highlighted down the track when the Bill is passed,” said Cr Abrahimzadeh.
“Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the results.”
Cr Hyde, although supportive, questioned whether Council Assessment Panels were the best authority to approve brothels. He was also concerned that ratepayers would foot the legal bill should residents dispute brothel approvals near their homes.
“The Bill introduced shoots from the hip a little bit and it is saying ‘we are going to decriminalise and … local government here is the Pandora’s box and you work out how it will work in practice,” Cr Hyde said.
“(The conversations) allow us to pave the way for other local government areas and how they implement these changes, which will come about sooner or later, and how they grapple with those issues.”
Greens MLC Tammy Franks, who introduced the Bill in the Upper House last year, has written a letter to the council saying she would be happy to discuss how jurisdictions interstate and overseas had dealt with similar concerns.
“I am certainly very willing to work with the Lord Mayor and/or staff to examine areas of concern and hopefully craft solutions that are within the spirit of the Bill to decriminalise sex work,” she said.
The Advertiser reported last month Local Government Minister Stephan Knoll said councils and the Local Government association had raised “huge concerns” with him about the proposed reforms and the possibility of brothels opening on “much-loved” streets.
The LGA has called for “clear policies” about where brothels can operate should the laws be passed.
Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said while she supported decriminalisation, she shared some of Cr Hyde’s concerns.
Minister Knoll maintained he would not support the bill.
“Councils would essentially need to regulate where in their communities they would allow brothels to operate, a difficult decision especially when I assume most communities would not want brothels in the first place,” Mr Knoll said.
The Bill is expected to be debated in the Lower House next month and a vote should happen by year’s end.
For more news visit thecityadelaide.com.au
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