Private member’s bill to decriminalise sex work in South Australia passes Upper House
A BILL that would decriminalise sex work in South Australia has passed South Australia’s Upper House in a late-night sitting.
THE Lower House could vote whether to decriminalise sex work in South Australia within months, with a Labor MP saying Wednesday’s Upper House vote had emboldened her push to get the laws through as soon as possible.
Labor MP Steph Key has long championed decriminalising sex work and said she’d try to bring a vote on in the Lower House in September.
The Private Member’s Bill was put forward by Liberal MLC Michelle Lensink in 2015 and passed the Legislative Council on Wednesday night on a conscience vote, 13-8 in a debate that went past midnight.
Ms Key said the passing was “a very big moment for me”.
“I was really impressed to see most of the people in the Legislative Council understood why we had to have reform,” she said.
“Some of the legislation in SA is older than me — so it’s really old.”
Ms Key said she would negotiate with Premier Jay Weatherill so Government time could be devoted to the Bill in Parliament.
As a private members Bill, there are limits to the amount of time it can be discussed in Parliament — slowing its progress.
“My first priority will be trying to deal with this matter as soon as possible,” she said.
Some MPs have told The Advertiser they’re in no hurry to debate decriminalisation just nine months out from an election and could move to delay debate until the next term of Parliament.
It’s a view shared by Marion Mayor and former MP Kris Hanna, who said he’d be “very surprised” if MPs seriously considered the legislation before next March’s election.
But Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said SA’s legislation lagged behind other states and “absolutely supported” debate being held before the election.
“It’s time for us to consider this carefully,” he said.
“I’m not saying this is without risks and consequences and that’s why the Liberal Party will not be shirking it’s responsibilities and will be participating in a proper debate in the House of Assembly.
Ms Lensink told The Advertiser the reform was “long overdue in SA”.
“It’s very important to the 2000 people who work in the sex work industry in SA,” she said.
“They’ve told me … for decades that they don’t feel safe and police have a conflict of interest if they report incidents of rape or assault.
“Police have a conflict in protecting them but using it in evidence against them.”
Ms Lensink said the bill was first tabled two years ago before it was scrutinised by a seven-member committee for 18 months.
She would not be drawn on whether the bill would pass in the lower house but said there was an “appetite for change”.
Australian Conservatives MP Rob Brokenshire said Ms Lensink’s Bill was “bad for communities”.
“Michelle Lensinks’ Bill is the wrong way for South Australia to decriminalise this trade, it does nothing to help those who want to leave the industry and it negatively impacts upon the rest of the community,” Mr Brokenshire said.
“The legislation ... places no restrictions on where soliciting or prostitution can occur, allowing streetwalkers to solicit outside of schools or places of worship if they choose.”
On New Year’s Day in 2015, Sydney sex worker Ting Fang was found murdered in an Adelaide hotel room. She had been bashed and had her throat cut and her 28-year-old killer was later convicted and jailed for at least 25 years.
Sex work remains criminalised in Tasmania and WA, as well as South Australia.
MORE TO COME.