Senator Alex Antic argues against decriminalising sex work, after grid girls were scrapped due to exploitation concerns

One of our newest Senators argues it’s “incongruous” to consider decriminalising prostitution – after we already scrapped grid girls for sending the wrong message about sexualising women.

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South Australian senator Alex Antic says it is absurd that the state could scrap grid girls at its premier motor racing event over concerns about their exploitation, but then consider decriminalising prostitution for the rights of women.

SA Liberal Senator Alex Antic has argued against the decriminalisation of sex work. Picture: AAP / Sean Davey

The Liberal senator has hit out at proposed SA laws – supported by many in his own party – that would decriminalise sex work, arguing the idea that women work in the industry by choice was not correct.

“To make a choice you need to have the facts about that which you are choosing,” Senator Antic said.

“Sadly, it is all too common for prostitutes to be held captive, not just physically, as in the case of trafficked persons, but by the lies of the sex industry.

“It is beyond incongruous that in a state where grid girls at the (Adelaide 500) car race have recently been outlawed because they send the wrong message regarding the sexualisation of women, that the decriminalisation of prostitution is proffered on the grounds of improving the rights of women.

The “grid girls” at the Adelaide 500 – formerly the Clipsal 500 – were cancelled in 2016.

“Many of those who have campaigned against the objectification of women, who have rightly told the community that the value of women shouldn’t be based on their physical appearance, now seek to promote an industry which reaches the very summit of exploitation.”

Greens MLC Tammy Franks, who introduced the Bill “to give sex workers human, legal and workplace rights”, dismissed Senator Antic’s comments.

“Just as no politician should be telling women what they can or can’t wear, grid girl or not, no politician should be telling consenting adults what they can or can’t do in the privacy of either a bedroom or a brothel,” Ms Franks said.