Public health a priority for sex workers says Spurrier

Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier has thrown her weight behind decriminalising sex work to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier says decriminalising sex work will mean better health outcomes - and not just for sex workers.

“The case for legal reform relating to sex work on the grounds of public health outcomes is well established,” Prof Spurrier told a parliamentary committee today.

“It really does have an impact on public health and not just for sex workers.”

Prof Spurrier said when sex work was illegal it created barriers to healthcare screening, health services, and safe sex.

She said this was especially a concern during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are at risk of increasing what are preventable diseases,” Prof Spurrier said.

The Select Committee on the Repeal of Sex Work Offences Bill is inquiring into legislation which would abolish offences relating to prostitution in SA.

The Bill passed in the Legislative Council last month and will soon be debated in the House of Assembly.

The last attempt to decriminalise sex work and was lost by six votes in November 2019.

SA Greens MLC Tammy Franks is trying to win support for the 14th attempt for her Statutes Amendment Repeal of Sex Workers Bill.

“There are 27 ads in the Advertiser today for sex workers and there was an ad every single day for sex workers during the heights of the lockdown.,’’ Ms Franks told the committee.

Dr Nicola Spurrier is seen during question time at the Old South Australian parliament in Adelaide. Thursday, April 23, 2020. (AAP Image/David Mariuz)

Ms Franks said if passed, new laws would come into force in 2022, and allow for the first time the establishment of a lawful sex industry model.

Under current SA law, operating a brothel attracts a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, soliciting involves fines of up to $750 and living on the earnings of prostitution attracts a fine of $1250 to $2500 or imprisonment for up to six months.