Bill to decriminalise sex work set to pass Upper House

A push to decriminalise sex work is set to pass the Upper House as MPs prepare to consider the legislation tomorrow.

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A push to decriminalise sex work is set to pass the Upper House as MPs prepare to consider the legislation tomorrow.

Greens MP Tammy Franks’ motion, which is expected to come to a final vote later this month, has the backing of 12 of 21 Upper House MPs, with another MP open to supporting it.

It means decriminalisation legislation will be headed to the Lower House for the second time in two years, with Deputy Premier Vickie Chapman set to champion the legislation.

Ms Chapman told The Advertiser she would move three amendments if the legislation was to pass as it is, following consultation with SA police.

She said the amendments — which enshrine police officers’ ability to protect “unwanted and nuisance” street soliciting, and to enter a brothel to crack down on sexual servitude, human trafficking and serious and organised crime — provided protections against criminal parts of the sex work industry.

“I have always been an advocate for this legislation, however I understand this is a divisive issue in the community and these small amendments will ensure important protections are in place,” she said.

Protesters urge against the push to decriminalise sex work on the steps of Parliament House.

Ms Franks said she would like to sit down with police and Ms Chapman to discuss a future policing framework if sex work was decriminalised.

She said police should be able to crack down on any suspected child sex trafficking or organised criminal element in the sex work trade, but would not support anything that “treats sex work like a crime”.

Ms Franks’ legislation mirrors the motion introduced by Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink, which passed the Upper House 13 votes to 8 in 2017.

The Bill lapsed before reaching a vote in the Lower House when parliament was prorogued for last year’s state election.

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman, (left) who will champion the push to legalise sex work in South Australia in the Lower House, with Greens MP Tammy Franks and Labor’s Katrine Hildyard.

Eleven Upper House MPs who voted for the legislation in 2017 remain in state parliament, and all are understood to be set to vote for it again.

SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros is also expected to support the legislation, while Labor MP Russell Wortley would like to extra protections placed into the Bill but is open to supporting it.

A majority of Upper House MPs would have to again support an amended Bill if changes were passed in the Lower House.

Ms Franks said she was “quietly confident” the Bill would again pass the Upper House.

It will be debated today, with Ms Franks hopeful a final vote will occur by the end of the month.

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